{"title":"Flavorful Teas","description":"\u003cp\u003eTeas chosen for the strength and the quality of their flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlavor in tea comes from three sources: the cultivar itself, the fermentation, and the roasting. The teas here are the ones where the first two come through strongly. Most of them are either teas like Phoenix Dan Cong, where the flavor is the name of the cultivar, or teas like Oriental Beauty and honey fragrance black tea, where leafhoppers feeding on the leaf produce a honey flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"o47","title":"Osmanthus Oolong (Ali Shan)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\n    About Ali Shan Gui Hua Oolong\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    A wonderful collaboration between Osmanthus and Ali Shan tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This product was realized due to the many requests from our customers. Fresh osmanthus flowers and tea produced at 1500m in Ali Shan were mixed, allowing the tea leaves to absorb the sweet aroma of osmanthus.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This is entirely different from the mass-produced osmanthus tea found in souvenir shops.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It has a very fruity flavor, and immediately after drinking, the fresh peach scent spreads in your mouth.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ali Shan Gui Hua Oolong tea was sourced in response to numerous customer requests.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The name might seem complex at first glance, but it means osmanthus oolong made using oolong tea from Ali Shan, a mountain in Taiwan. Osmanthus refers to the flower of the sweet osmanthus tree.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Osmanthus oolong itself is not a particularly rare tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It is frequently seen in China and Taiwan. Especially, osmanthus fragrance is often added to make summer-plucked tea or low-quality tea from unnamed regions easier to sell, so osmanthus oolong can be seen all over Taiwan and China.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, did you know there are various types of osmanthus oolong? Osmanthus oolong sprayed with fragrance can be obtained for around 1000 yen per 100g.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In contrast, the osmanthus oolong sold by HOJO is far more expensive. It is not just expensive for no reason, there is a reason for the high price.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Three Types of Osmanthus Oolong\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The osmanthus oolong in the world can be classified into the following three types:\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding-top: 30px; padding-bottom: 12.5px; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px;\"\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eThe most common type is sprayed with fragrance. It is often seen at airports and shops aimed at tourists. Because the fragrance is added with a spray, cheap tea leaves are used. The fragrance is strong, but there is no depth when you drink it. It is essentially a flavored tea.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eThe type that mixes or uses dried osmanthus flowers for fragrance. Osmanthus flowers are also sold dried. Although the scent does not become unpleasant when dried, it is clearly different from the scent of fresh flowers. Since fresh osmanthus is hard to obtain and wilts quickly, dried osmanthus is often used.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eThe most premium type is made by mixing fresh osmanthus flowers with oolong tea, allowing the tea leaves to absorb the fresh floral aroma. HOJO's Ali Shan Gui Hua Oolong is this type. It has a sweet, refreshing aroma.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The osmanthus oolong sourced by HOJO uses Ali Shan tea as the base oolong tea. Ali Shan is a 1600m high mountain, but the tea gardens are distributed across a very wide area from the base to the top of the mountain.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, even tea from Ali Shan can vary in quality, with tea from several hundred meters, tea from 1000 meters, and tea from around 1500 meters each having different qualities.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since HOJO insists on using fresh osmanthus flowers for fragrance, we also focus on the quality of the base oolong tea. We use spring tea produced in a tea garden at 1500m in Ali Shan.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The quality of the tea leaves can be judged by how quickly they open when brewed. High-quality tea leaves have many cells per unit area, making them elastic like rubber and quickly returning to their original shape when placed in hot water.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    On the other hand, summer-plucked tea or low-altitude tea has large cells, fewer in number, and the cell walls are easily broken. When placed in hot water, the broken parts do not return to their original shape, so the leaves do not open easily.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    One factor for a good quality osmanthus oolong is that the osmanthus does not overpower. Osmanthus oolong with an overwhelming osmanthus fragrance that overshadows the oolong tea quickly becomes tiring.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    HOJO aims for a collaboration between high-quality oolong tea and fresh osmanthus flowers. In the case of Ali Shan Gui Hua Oolong, the osmanthus fragrance acts like a \"backup dancer\" for the main performer, which is the oolong tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The main character is the oolong tea, and the osmanthus subtly enhances it. It is a very fruity tea, and the fresh peach scent spreads in your mouth immediately after drinking.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag)","offer_id":44932467753136,"sku":"o47ta","price":2800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932467785904,"sku":"o47tc","price":9000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932467818672,"sku":"o47tb","price":17100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932467851440,"sku":"o47tv","price":43000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/2021-03-1315.08.58.png?v=1737905893"},{"product_id":"o14","title":"Ali Shan Jin Xuan Oolong Tea","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n        Floral Aroma and Soft Fresh Milk Scent\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        By gently processing the latest Jin Xuan cultivar grown in Ali Shan without roasting, we have achieved a tea with a scent reminiscent of fresh milk and flowers.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Rolled green tea leaves on a white spoon\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/87A200E1-69C7-471B-A78F-F05A8F1503DB.png?v=1613390603\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    \"First Impression is Fresh Milk\"\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    By gently processing the latest Jin Xuan cultivar grown in Ali Shan without roasting, we have achieved a tea with a scent reminiscent of fresh milk and flowers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    You might think, \"Fresh milk in tea?! I don't want such a strange scent!\" but please try it first.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Once you taste it, you will immediately understand that the expression \"like fresh milk\" is used in a positive sense. The unforgettable taste has many fans even at HOJO's direct store in Kuala Lumpur (KL).\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    \"Good Balance Between Price and Quality\"\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Close-up of rolled green dried tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/EA7FA793-82C7-4BDD-AFAB-389A095533A0.png?v=1613391063\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Taiwan, oolong tea harvested from an altitude of 600m or higher is generally called high mountain tea. Ali Shan tea gardens are at 1500m, which is a standard altitude for high mountain tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Although teas like Lishan tea grown at 2400m are also good, they tend to be expensive. In that regard, Ali Shan tea offers a good balance between quality and price, making it a recommended high mountain tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Ali Shan Jin Xuan Oolong Tea Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A person in a cloth head cover plucking tea in a field\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/F20D0849-BE77-4D83-AE09-D35DC71161F5.png?v=1613391170\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e [High Mountain Tea Harvesting Scene]\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    If you actually visit Ali Shan, you will realize that it is a very deep mountain composed of many peaks. Tea gardens are distributed everywhere from the foot to the vicinity of the summit of Ali Shan, and their location significantly affects the quality of the tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    At HOJO, we aim to provide as clean and astringency-free tea as possible, so we source non-blended Ali Shan tea from tea gardens located around 1500m.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Furthermore, this product is made from the Jin Xuan cultivar, which has a completely different aroma compared to traditional Ali Shan tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Additionally, this product is a Qing Xiang type with no roasting, focusing on a mellower taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    About Cultivars and Harvesting\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Unlike green tea, tea leaves are harvested when they have several leaves. If harvested too early, the tea will be rich in theanine, an umami component, but its aroma will be weak.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It is important to select tea leaves that have a balanced amount of these substances. However, not any time is suitable; HOJO specifies only March-plucked tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As the harvest season progresses, the grade decreases, bitterness increases, and sweetness and mellowness decrease. This product is made from the Jin Xuan cultivar.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Side-by-side close-ups of two oolong tea leaf varieties\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/67BB8D5D-ED60-46F8-8309-6B3207B0081E.png?v=1613391470\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u0026nbsp;\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For more details about Ali Shan tea, please refer to the link below.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/alishan-tea\" aria-describedby=\"a11y-new-window-message\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Ali Shan Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/alishan-tea\" aria-describedby=\"a11y-new-window-message\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag)","offer_id":44932467228848,"sku":"o14ta","price":1400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932467261616,"sku":"o14tc","price":4500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932467294384,"sku":"o14tb","price":8700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932467327152,"sku":"o14tv","price":21800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/87A200E1-69C7-471B-A78F-F05A8F1503DB.png?v=1737905886"},{"product_id":"o09","title":"Ali Shan Cha","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        Refreshing Floral Aroma and Pleasant Aftertaste\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Ali Shan tea is a representative of Taiwanese high mountain tea with a fruity and refreshing taste. It offers a great balance of quality and price, making it a popular high mountain tea recommended by HOJO.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        HOJO's Ali Shan tea is Qing Xiang type\/ green type, which is close to green tea in taste, with a refreshing sensation reminiscent of fruits, honey and flowers. It is also characterized by a faintly sweet aftertaste.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        If you can't forget the delicious \"oolong tea\" you once had in Taiwan, please try HOJO's Ali Shan tea.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The Standard of High Mountain Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Taiwan, oolong tea harvested at an altitude of over 1000 meters is called high mountain tea. Ali Shan tea gardens are located at 1500 meters, making it a standard high mountain tea. While tea like Li Shan tea grown at 2400 meters is also good, it tends to be extremely expensive. In that sense, Ali Shan tea offers a great balance of quality and price and is highly recommended.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Can Be Brewed Up to 6 Times?!\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Using 5g of tea leaves for 200cc of water, you can brew up to 6 times. When drinking at work, you can simply put the tea leaves in a mug or cup and pour hot water. When you finish drinking, just add more hot water.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Below is an introduction to Ali Shan tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/alishan-tea\" aria-describedby=\"a11y-new-window-message\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 15px 0; font-size: .9em; background-color: #cfcfcf; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n    \u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/alishan-tea\" aria-describedby=\"a11y-new-window-message\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAbout Ali Shan Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/alishan-tea\" aria-describedby=\"a11y-new-window-message\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #fff;\" href=\"..\/pages\/alishan-tea\" aria-describedby=\"a11y-new-window-message\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag)","offer_id":44932466049200,"sku":"o09ta","price":1600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932466081968,"sku":"o09tc","price":5200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932466114736,"sku":"o09tb","price":10000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932466147504,"sku":"o09tv","price":24900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_9853.jpg?v=1737905871"},{"product_id":"o48","title":"Dong Ding Oolong Qing Xiang","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        Characterized by a Refreshing Floral Aroma\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        This tea is grown in tea gardens at an altitude of around 500 meters in Zhushan Township, near Dong Ding Mountain. It is characterized by a refreshing floral aroma and was purchased with the intention of being an everyday tea.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        With a floral aroma and a refreshing taste, this tea is perfect for daily drinking due to its affordable price. For those trying Dong Ding Oolong for the first time, we recommend starting with this product.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Surrounding Tea Gardens of Dong Ding Oolong\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We prioritize affordable pricing and source our tea from gardens around Dong Ding Mountain in Zhushan Township, Nantou County, the same area as Lugu Township, the birthplace of Dong Ding Oolong. This tea has a lighter body compared to the tea from Lugu.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Floral Aroma from Light Fermentation\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The light fermentation process results in a tea with a distinctive floral aroma. For those new to oolong tea, this tea offers a fresh surprise. It is much more fragrant than sencha, with a floral aroma that feels like inhaling the scent of flowers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    About Dong Ding Oolong Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Dong Ding Oolong tea is an oolong tea made from tea leaves harvested from Dong Ding Mountain in Lugu Township, Nantou County, Taiwan. It is said that the name \"Dong Ding\" comes from the fact that the path up the mountain is very slippery, requiring climbers to use their toes to reach the summit.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    About 150 years ago, oolong tea seeds from Wuyi, Fujian Province, China, were brought to Dong Ding Mountain for cultivation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Economic Value with Seven Brews\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When brewed in a small teapot (200-250cc), you can enjoy more than seven infusions. This means that a lightly heaped tablespoon of tea leaves can make up to a liter of tea, offering great economic value for a high-quality tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Relax with a Smooth, Easy-to-Drink Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    HOJO \"Dong Ding Oolong\" has no bitterness and a soft mouthfeel, making it enjoyable even for those with a weak stomach who find strong tea hard to drink. It is perfect as a morning tea to wake up to, or as a tea to relax before bedtime, brewed in a slightly elegant tea set.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Cultivation Varieties and Harvesting\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    HOJO's Dong Ding Oolong tea is made from a variety called Qingxin Oolong. Tea made from this variety is known for its refreshing taste and elegant aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/5545EA1A-6840-4A00-8B9D-45DF02006A9B.png?v=1613709380\" alt=\"Qingxin Oolong Leaves\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As shown in the photo, the leaves are more yellow-green than blue-green and do not appear to be in perfect condition. However, these slow-growing leaves produce delicious tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/1D74ACE1-FDA2-4FC5-B780-64267813CAA3.png?v=1613712684\" alt=\"Qingxin Oolong Garden\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eQingxin Oolong Garden\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/9133EC60-A19F-4BA1-9F2B-1F23C841FDBC.png?v=1613712724\" alt=\"Qingxin Oolong Leaves\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eQingxin Oolong Leaves Used for Dong Ding Oolong\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    All tea plucking is done by hand. The new shoots, along with 3-4 leaves, are plucked by hand.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tea plucking is done in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, but the highest quality tea leaves are harvested in spring and winter. However, there is a significant difference in quality between spring tea and winter tea, and HOJO only purchases spring tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Pesticide Management of Dong Ding Oolong Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Dong Ding Oolong tea is produced in low-pesticide tea gardens that meet Japanese standards. Before purchasing, we analyze 400 types of pesticides with SGS in Taiwan to ensure they meet Japanese pesticide standards before importing.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The Manufacturing Process of Dong Ding Oolong Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The production of Dong Ding Oolong involves the following steps:\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSun Withering\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eIndoor Withering and Fermentation\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eRolling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Here is an explanation of each step.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Sun Withering\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After harvesting, the tea leaves are spread out on the ground under the sun to wilt. This is called sun withering. It is usually done on overcast days to avoid damage to the leaves from sunlight.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    On sunny days with strong sunlight, a cover is stretched several meters above the ground to soften the sunlight.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Sun withering causes the moisture in the tea leaves to evaporate, initiating a slow fermentation process. The leaves gradually become soft and begin to emit a fresh aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Indoor Withering and Fermentation\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The fermentation of oolong tea is significantly different from that of black tea. The sun-withered tea leaves are brought indoors and spread on sheets. For moist and fresh tea leaves, spreading them thinly speeds up the evaporation of moisture.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Next, the tea leaves are spread on bamboo sieves. This promotes fermentation, and the leaves are repeatedly lifted and dropped onto the inclined sieves, allowing them to ferment while resting.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea leaves are then stirred in bamboo drums. This lifting and dropping action causes the edges of the leaves to be bruised, promoting enzymatic fermentation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Once fermentation is sufficiently advanced, the tea leaves emit a sweet, floral aroma. High-quality tea leaves processed by skilled craftsmen have edges that are distinctly red.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This indicates that only the edges of the leaves were bruised and partially fermented, distinguishing them from low-quality leaves that have uneven red discoloration.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The fermented tea leaves are then heated to deactivate the enzymes and halt fermentation. If the fermentation is not stopped promptly, it continues, resulting in a flavor closer to black tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The number of stirs and the resting time are determined based on the moisture content, aroma, and color of the tea leaves. This delicate timing is decided by the craftsmen's experience, which greatly influences the quality of oolong tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The craftsmen work under the guidance of a master. The quality of the oolong tea's aroma is greatly influenced by the skill of the master. To consistently obtain superior quality, it is essential to work with a skilled master.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Rolling\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    At this stage, the tea leaves already have the flavor of oolong tea. However, the cells of the leaves remain intact except for the edges, meaning the flavor and aroma are not fully extracted during brewing.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When tea leaves are subjected to high pressure rolling, as in black tea production, it results in unwanted bitterness being released into the tea. Furthermore, excessive exposure to air causes non-enzymatic oxidation, altering the flavor and aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To resolve these dilemmas, the method used in oolong tea production is called \"ball-rolling.\" This process involves wrapping the tea leaves in a cloth and then rolling them.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea leaves are placed in a cloth bag while still warm and soft. Each bag holds 10-20kg of tea leaves, which are then rolled into a basketball-sized ball.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Nowadays, the ends of the bag are twisted tightly by machine. This strong twisting compresses the bag, applying pressure to the tea leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Next, the tea ball is placed in a device with rotating discs. The ball is sandwiched between two plates, with the upper disc stationary and the lower disc rotating. This process rolls the tea leaves while the ball rotates. After a while, the tea leaves are gently reheated.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    If the tea leaves cool and harden, they become brittle and may break, so they are periodically heated to keep them soft. The tea leaves gradually become firm and are shaped into balls.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The higher the quality of the tea leaves, the tighter they are rolled, and the heavier they feel. High-quality tea leaves also have a glossy surface due to the solidified extracts released from the leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This rolling process is repeated several times. The number of times and the rolling method, as well as the heating method, vary depending on the condition of the tea leaves. For example, tea leaves harvested from gardens with relatively low water and nutrient levels contain less moisture.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    If these leaves are rolled in the same way, they may crack due to moisture loss or discolor due to heating.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Adjusting the conditions for each step according to the state of the tea leaves, the weather, and other factors is crucial and demonstrates the skill of the master.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The rolled tea leaves are dried in a dryer until their moisture content drops below 5%, completing the process.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag)","offer_id":44932464967856,"sku":"o48ta","price":1400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932465000624,"sku":"o48tc","price":2700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932465033392,"sku":"o48tb","price":5100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932465066160,"sku":"o48tv","price":13000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/0A94842C-C419-4C31-95C3-982390076666.png?v=1737905863"},{"product_id":"o01","title":"Oriental Beauty","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        Legendary Taiwanese Tea that Created a Sensation in Europe\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        The incredibly fruity and sweet flavor, which seems almost unbelievable as a natural aroma, pairs wonderfully with sweets. This tea is extremely popular among women and enhances a stylish tea time.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        The flavor and aroma improve with storage, making it a valuable addition to any collection.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea gives multi-layered sweet floral-fruity notes, which tea connoisseurs call muscatel flavor—a natural fruity and honey-like aroma with a lingering sweetish taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Brown dried tea leaves with pale tips in a gray shallow dish\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/9235\/1065\/files\/OB2_480x480.jpg?v=1623914494\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eIn the past, Oriental Beauty was known as Formosa Tea in Europe.\u003c\/strong\u003e This tea was once extremely popular, and people enthusiastically sought it out. At that time, it was said that 15kg of Oriental Beauty was equivalent to the cost of a house in Taiwan. The reason people love this tea is its sweet fruity flavor. The secret behind this flavor is the tiny green leafhoppers that attack the tea leaves during summer. Tea leaves bitten by leafhoppers change color to yellow and produce an antibody that gives a fruity flavor. It is a very tedious job to select and pluck only the leaves attacked by leafhoppers. Not only must the tea garden be maintained without pesticides, but a great deal of good luck is also needed to attract this tiny insect.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    History and Culture\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Legend has it that a farmer left his tea garden unattended as he was too busy to look after it. His garden was badly attacked by a large number of green leafhoppers, and all the bitten tea leaves changed color to yellow. Nevertheless, he still processed the tea leaves as he could not afford to give up his tea. To his surprise, the tea produced from insect-bitten leaves had a very strong fruity flavor. Coincidentally, a European tea merchant noticed this tea, loved its quality, and named it Formosa Tea. It is believed that this is the prototype of Oriental Beauty. However, it is slightly different from the conventional Oriental Beauty. The processing method of Oriental Beauty has changed over the years, and according to the older generation, the production method in their youth was quite different. In any case, one thing has remained unchanged: only the leaves attacked by leafhoppers are selected. Usually, each twig consists of 1 bud and 2 leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Production Area\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Oriental Beauty is made only from tea leaves attacked by green leafhoppers, which appear during June–July. Due to increasing demand, China has started producing tea under the same name, yet the identical muscatel flavor of Oriental Beauty is difficult to replicate. In Taiwan, it depends very much on luck whether the leafhoppers return to the same tea garden. Farmers must keep their gardens as natural as possible in the hope that the insects will return each year.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A small green insect on a tea leaf held between fingers\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o02_pho_06.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The yellow spots seen below the green leafhopper (center) are evidence that the tea leaf has been bitten.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea garden is located in Xin-zhu (新竹县). The altitude is about 1000m a.s.l. The tea garden receives sunshine only in the morning; from the afternoon onward, the entire garden is covered by thick fog. Thanks to the fog and higher altitude, the taste and flavor of the tea are very rich, and it gives a very smooth drinking sensation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Cultivar and Plucking\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Oriental Beauty is made from the cultivar called 青心大冇. During June–July, many green leafhoppers attack the tea garden on the mountain. The leafhoppers suck the juice from young leaves, causing the attacked leaves to change color to yellow. It is said that the tea garden sometimes emits a sweet fragrance from the leaves that have been bitten.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The mechanism behind this mysterious fragrance is yet to be fully understood. We assume that leaves attacked by these insects subsequently produce a type of antibody. The antibody produced by plants is known as phytoalexin. One type of phytoalexin is known to give a fruity aroma—a small molecular substance called a terpenoid. We wonder whether this substance plays a role in the flavor of Oriental Beauty.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A small insect and bite marks on the edge of a tea leaf\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o02_pho_10.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A pesticide-free tea garden is necessary to attract green leafhoppers. But this is not sufficient—it also very much depends on luck.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A young shoot with fresh leaves on a tea plant\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/ot2_pho_03.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The tea leaves bitten by green leafhoppers turn yellowish and their shape also changes.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Plucking is carried out to select only the leaves attacked by leafhoppers. Only 1 bud and 2 leaves are carefully plucked by hand.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Processing\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n    Sunshine Withering\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After plucking, the tea leaves are spread over the ground under natural sunshine. This is called sunshine withering. Cloudy weather is generally ideal to avoid excessive damage to the leaves. If sunny weather continues, a black cloth is used to block the harsh rays. During sunshine withering, moisture inside the leaves evaporates and fermentation is moderately triggered, causing the leaves to gradually release a refreshing aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n    Indoor Withering\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The method of fermentation for oolong tea is completely different from that of black tea. After sunshine withering, the leaves are brought into the factory and spread over a sheet. Oriental Beauty uses only 1 bud and 2 leaves, unlike ordinary high mountain oolong tea, which requires 4–5 leaves. Because the moisture content of Oriental Beauty leaves is generally higher than that of ordinary high mountain tea, the withering process takes much longer. This extended withering period accelerates hydrolysis, generating the tea's characteristic sweet flavor and taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea leaves are then tossed onto a bamboo tray. This agitation causes friction that triggers fermentation. The tray is placed on a rack, and this process is repeated several times. The tea leaves begin to ferment when bruised. The fermentation of Oriental Beauty takes longer than that of ordinary oolong teas, and because the leaves are tender and fragile, the entire process is carried out very gently. Once the tea master determines that fermentation is sufficient, the leaves are sent for heat treatment to stop further fermentation. If this is not done promptly, fermentation will continue until the tea turns into black tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The number of rotations and timing of fermentation are judged based on the moisture content, flavor, and color of the leaves. These decisions require highly experienced tea technicians and have a tremendous impact on quality. All technicians follow the instructions of the tea master, and producing good quality tea depends on finding an excellent one.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n    Rolling\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tea leaves are first rolled by a rolling machine. For Oriental Beauty, bag rolling is not carried out in order to protect the leaves from cracking. Excessive rolling pressure can damage the leaves, causing bitterness, astringency, and off-flavors. The rolling process is therefore conducted under moderate pressure. During rolling, the temperature of the leaves drops and they become brittle, so they are heated in a drum at 60–80°C to soften them. If the pressure is too firm, the leaves produce an undesirable taste; if too gentle, the taste becomes weak. The same sequence is repeated several times, with each parameter adjusted according to the condition of the leaves, including moisture content. The tea master must carefully assess the condition of the leaves at each stage and apply the appropriate method. It requires a great deal of precision and expertise.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After rolling, the leaves are dried to reduce moisture content to 5%.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":44932464279728,"sku":"o01ta","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":44932464312496,"sku":"o01tc","price":3800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932464345264,"sku":"o01tb","price":11000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"360g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932464378032,"sku":"o01tv","price":36300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_65151.jpg?v=1737905858"},{"product_id":"o11","title":"Wen Shan Bao Zhong","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Wen Shan Bao Zhong is one of the representative Taiwanese teas. The tea leaves are lightly rolled and lightly fermented, resulting in a very strong floral fragrance with a hint of green tea aroma, and a sweet, refreshing taste.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Wen Shan Bao Zhong is known for its floral fragrance as its trademark. However, in recent years, many Wen Shan Bao Zhong teas have a seaweed-like aroma, making it difficult to find a tea with a satisfactory fragrance.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Therefore, we treat our Wen Shan Bao Zhong at low temperatures in-house to bring out the original floral fragrance and immediately cool it to prevent condensation.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        You can enjoy the strong floral fragrance of Wen Shan Bao Zhong.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dark green dried tea leaves on a bamboo scoop\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/A38A10AE-83B3-49EA-B0DB-2DEB53B50D17.png?v=1613739494\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Many experts consider oolong tea to be the most difficult tea to produce. This is due to the wide range of fermentation levels (10–80%) that oolong tea can have, making the control of fermentation very difficult.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wen Shan Bao Zhong is one of the lightly fermented teas among them. Because of this, people new to it often mistake it for green tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wen Shan Bao Zhong is characterized by a very strong floral fragrance, a hint of green tea aroma, and a sweet, refreshing taste. We select spring tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A few thin twisted dried tea leaves on a patterned stone surface\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/CB15E8A3-3DEA-45E9-AD9B-C7DDA81BE375.png?v=1613739564\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Brewed dark green tea leaves in a white cup\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/DF8C1A89-7F4D-4349-88C3-E59B88CCDCFF.png?v=1613739595\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Increasingly Common Seaweed-like Aroma in Recent Years\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wen Shan Bao Zhong is known for its floral fragrance as its trademark. However, in recent years, many Wen Shan Bao Zhong teas have a seaweed-like aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In fact, even when sourcing in Taiwan, many Wen Shan Bao Zhong teas have a somewhat green seaweed-like aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Many producers insist this is the aroma of Wen Shan Bao Zhong, but from our experience, many Wen Shan Bao Zhong teas used to truly have a floral fragrance.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The change can be attributed to insufficient cooling after drying, such as packaging the tea while it is still warm. Ideally, tea should be cooled by blowing air after heating.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Hot tea leaves generate steam, causing condensation on the surface of the leaves and leading to oxidation. Oxidized Wen Shan Bao Zhong smells like seaweed.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, we treat our Wen Shan Bao Zhong at low temperatures to bring out the original floral fragrance and immediately cool it to prevent condensation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Please enjoy the traditional floral fragrance of Wen Shan Bao Zhong.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Fine dried tea leaves spilling from a dark blue pouch\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/84D9BDBD-02B3-4A64-9ABE-A0D4AE528E44.png?v=1613739728\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    History of Wen Shan Bao Zhong\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wen Shan Bao Zhong has a history of over 100 years. The Wenshan area in Taiwan is said to be the first place where oolong tea trees were planted.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The name Bao Zhong was initially used in Anxi and Fuzhou in Fujian Province. It comes from the way the tea was packaged.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Around 1820, Anxi tea was made by imitating the method of making oolong tea from Wuyi Mountain.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, at that time, oolong tea made in Anxi was sent to Fuzhou, where it was scented with flowers and sold as flavored oolong tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea was called Bao Zhong because it was packaged in rectangular boxes wrapped in paper. In Chinese, Bao Zhong means \"package type.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    By 1873, oolong tea was being produced in the Wenshan area of Taiwan.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    At that time, the global economy was sluggish and the tea market was also slow. Moreover, the price of Taiwanese tea was high, so Taiwanese traders did not buy Taiwanese oolong tea, resulting in a large stockpile of unsold inventory.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To overcome this situation, Taiwanese producers sent unsold oolong tea to Fujian Province, where it was scented with flowers and sold as flavored tea in Southeast Asia.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Like Bao Zhong tea from Anxi, Taiwanese flavored oolong tea was also called Bao Zhong because it was packaged in paper.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    By 1881, tea masters were invited from Fujian Province to Taiwan, where flavored tea was produced and sold in Southeast Asia.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After 1885, further research and improvements were made to the quality and processing methods of Bao Zhong tea. As a result, light fermentation technology was developed, successfully bringing out a natural sweet floral fragrance.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Although it is no longer packaged in paper bags, the name Bao Zhong (Wen Shan Bao Zhong) is still used today.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dark green twisted tea leaves in a white cup\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/D2105B17-7555-4036-91DA-FE0185FB806B.png?v=1613739776\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Production Area and Cultivar of Wen Shan Bao Zhong\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The main production area of Wen Shan Bao Zhong is distributed around Pinglin Township in Wenshan District, New Taipei City, Taiwan.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This area is relatively close to Taipei, with an altitude of about 600–800 meters. The main cultivar is Qingxin Oolong, characterized by its deep fragrance.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The cultivated variety is Qing Xin Oolong.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Processing Details of Wen Shan Bao Zhong\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wen Shan Bao Zhong is the least fermented tea among Taiwanese oolong teas and is made by lightly rolling the leaves. This leads many people to believe that its production is relatively easy, but the opposite is true.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Because of the low level of fermentation, it requires precise control of fermentation, which necessitates uniform leaf shape and careful management from the tea-plucking stage.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The processing steps of Wen Shan Bao Zhong are as follows:\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eTea Plucking\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOutdoor Withering\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eIndoor Withering\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eInactivate Enzyme\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eRolling\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDrying\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    1. Tea Plucking\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea plucking season for Wen Shan Bao Zhong is around early April.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Usually, 1 bud and 2–3 leaves are hand-plucked. If the leaves are damaged during plucking or transportation, unintended fermentation starts, making it impossible to bring out the characteristic floral fragrance of Wen Shan Bao Zhong.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, careful handling of the leaves is essential.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    2. Outdoor Withering\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea leaves are spread thinly on sheets and withered in the sun for 10–20 minutes on sunny days and 30–40 minutes on cloudy days.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    During this time, the temperature of the leaves must be maintained at 30–35°C. If it exceeds 40°C, the leaves deteriorate due to heat. The purpose of this process is to reduce the moisture content of the leaves, making them ready for the subsequent fermentation process.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    3. Indoor Withering\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The ideal environment for enzyme reactions is room temperature at 23–25°C and relative humidity of 70–80%.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After sun withering, the leaves are spread on bamboo mats and gently stirred by hand.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The friction during this process creates fine wounds on the edges of the leaves, initiating fermentation as the polyphenols and enzymes in the leaves come into contact.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After stirring, the leaves are left to rest on bamboo mats to promote fermentation. Although it may seem like a simple task, achieving uniform stirring and precise control of fermentation levels requires considerable skill.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    If the stirring is too strong, the edges of the leaves turn red, weakening the floral fragrance and increasing astringency. On the other hand, if the stirring is too weak, the leaves continue to lose moisture, resulting in insufficient fermentation and a greenish aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Stirring must be done gently yet effectively, requiring experienced hands.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    4. Inactivation of Enzyme\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When the tea is sufficiently fermented, it is heated in a stainless steel drum at 140–160°C.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This process removes excess moisture, deactivates enzymes through heat, and softens the leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The higher the temperature—provided the leaves do not burn—the more floral and clear the fragrance of the finished tea will be.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    If the temperature is too low or the heating time is insufficient, the remaining enzymes activate, causing the tea to become cloudy and over-fermented, resulting in a weak aroma and astringency.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    On the other hand, if over-heated, the moisture content of the leaves drops below a safe threshold, causing burning and an increase in tea dust.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This also weakens the fragrance due to heat damage.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    5. Rolling\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Rolling is done with light pressure. It compacts the leaves and creates fine wounds, making the tea easier to extract when brewed.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    6. Drying\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The rolled leaves are dried, adjusting the moisture content to about 5%.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Drying is done at 100–105°C for 25–30 minutes, or in 2 stages: 105–115°C for 10 minutes, then 85–95°C for 40–60 minutes. The parameters vary depending on the processing volume.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"20g (small bag)","offer_id":44932464148656,"sku":"o11ta","price":1600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g (in can)","offer_id":44932464181424,"sku":"o11tc","price":3800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (large bag\/50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932464214192,"sku":"o11tb","price":11000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [50g x 3 bags] x 4 bags)","offer_id":44932464246960,"sku":"o11tv","price":36300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/011_02.jpg?v=1737905857"},{"product_id":"o03","title":"Spring Oriental Beauty","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        A Tea That Can Be Called the Ultimate Quality of Oriental Beauty\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Spring Oriental Beauty is a tea made from tea leaves grown in Alishan.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Unlike Oriental Beauty harvested in summer, this tea is plucked in spring, and only the leaves bitten by leafhoppers more extensively than those used for Oriental Beauty are carefully selected to create the ultimate masterpiece of Oriental Beauty.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        This tea is suitable for aging, and the longer it is stored, the more it transforms into a tea with a smoother mouthfeel and a more elegant aroma.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The Ultimate Quality of Oriental Beauty\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Speaking of Oriental Beauty, it is synonymous with leafhoppers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    By processing only tea leaves bitten by leafhoppers, it is famous for having a muscat-like aroma (muscatel flavor).\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For Spring Oriental Beauty, tea leaves bitten even more extensively by leafhoppers than those used for Oriental Beauty are carefully hand-plucked.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea can be said to represent the ultimate quality of Oriental Beauty. It is made using luxurious raw materials.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea leaves are yellow, resembling ripened yellow fruits like banana.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Furthermore, the harvest is carried out earlier than for Oriental Beauty. In spring, when leafhoppers usually do not swarm, certain tea gardens experience leafhopper infestations, and the insects fly to the still tender tea leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This unique feature of Spring Oriental Beauty creates a soft floral aroma reminiscent of spring flowers and a soft, sweet taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The Secret of the Fragrant Muscatel Flavor\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Like Oriental Beauty, Spring Oriental Beauty is made only from tea leaves attacked by 2mm long green insects called leafhoppers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Leafhoppers selectively fly to pesticide-free tea gardens. When managed pesticide-free, the tea gardens' productivity drops significantly. Additionally, only tea leaves bitten by leafhoppers and turned yellow can be used, making the raw tea leaves rare and difficult to secure in sufficient quantities.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Furthermore, this tea is harvested in spring, unlike Oriental Beauty, which is harvested in summer. In spring, there are fewer leafhoppers compared to summer, making it even harder to secure tea leaves turned yellow by leafhopper bites.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Only the yellowed leaves of one bud and two leaves are plucked. To make Spring Oriental Beauty, only the \"more yellowed leaves\" compared to the raw materials for Oriental Beauty are used.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tea leaves attacked by insects turn yellow and simultaneously biosynthesize a substance akin to antibodies in humans (called phytoalexin in plants).\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In tea, one of the commonly known phytoalexins is a low-molecular-weight substance called terpenoid.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    These substances are also known for having fruity aromas, and these substances form the \"mi xiang.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Processing of Spring Oriental Beauty\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The processing of Spring Oriental Beauty involves the following steps:\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSun Withering\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eIndoor Withering ~ Fermentation\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eRolling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Below are the explanations for each step.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Sun Withering\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After harvesting, the tea leaves are spread on the ground under the sun to wither.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This process is called sun withering. Because the cultivation area is at a high altitude, there are many days of light clouds, and the soft sunlight shines on the tea leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    On sunny days with strong sunlight, a black mesh sheet is stretched several meters above the tea leaves to soften the sunlight.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Through sun withering, the moisture in the tea leaves evaporates, and fermentation gradually begins. The tea leaves become softer and start to emit a fresh aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Indoor Withering ~ Fermentation\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The fermentation method for oolong tea is significantly different from that for black tea. After completing sun withering, the tea leaves are brought indoors with air conditioning, spread on sheets, cooled, and moisture evaporation is promoted.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea leaves for Spring Oriental Beauty use only one bud and two leaves, unlike the usual oolong tea (one bud and three to five leaves), so the moisture content is high, resulting in a longer withering process.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Extended withering promotes hydrolysis of the components, forming a distinctive sweet aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Indoors, the tea leaves are spread on bamboo trays. Spreading the leaves on trays promotes fermentation, and the process of lifting the tea leaves, \"dropping them on a tilted tray,\" and \"letting them rest to ferment\" is repeated.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The fermentation of Spring Oriental Beauty lasts longer than standard oolong tea. However, since the tea leaves are young and tender, the work is done gently overall.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The fermented tea leaves are heated to deactivate the enzymes and stop fermentation. If fermentation is not stopped promptly, the fermentation will continue, resulting in a flavor close to black tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The number of times the leaves are stirred and the time they are left to rest are determined based on the moisture content, aroma, and color of the tea leaves. These delicate decisions are made by the artisans, and this \"decision\" greatly affects the quality of the oolong tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The artisans work under the guidance of the master. The quality of the oolong tea is significantly influenced by the master. To consistently achieve superior quality, one must work with an excellent master.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Rolling\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Like Oriental Beauty, no \"bag rolling\" is done, which involves wrapping and rolling in cloth. Since young tea leaves are used, strong rolling would break the leaves and increase bitterness and astringency, so gentle hand-rolling is mainly employed.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    During the rolling process, the temperature of the tea leaves gradually decreases, becoming hard and crispy. In this case, heating at 60-80°C is performed to soften the tea leaves and continue rolling. If the rolling is too weak, the tea's flavor is not sufficiently extracted.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Conversely, if it is too strong, it causes off-flavors and can break the tea leaves. It is crucial to adjust the conditions of each operation timely, considering the state of the tea leaves, the weather of the day, and various other factors, which is the expertise of the master.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After rolling is completed, the tea leaves are dried in a dryer to reduce the moisture content to below 5%, completing the process.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Storage of Spring Oriental Beauty\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Store at room temperature, no need to refrigerate. This tea ages over time, developing a smoother mouthfeel and a more elegant aroma. Avoid humidity and store in a place away from direct sunlight.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Quality Evaluation of Spring Oriental Beauty\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Twisted brown tea leaves with silvery tips on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/3AEEB5DB-E95D-46B7-BBD8-B1A4026842BB.png?v=1613742421\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Reddish-brown opened tea leaves in two white lidded cups\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/5447BA82-F241-46E3-BD55-1DF5D332DA3C.png?v=1613742452\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Tea Sediment of Spring Oriental Beauty (left) and Oriental Beauty (right)\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The photo above compares the tea sediment of Oriental Beauty and Spring Oriental Beauty.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":44932464017584,"sku":"o03ta","price":5500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"30g (in can)","offer_id":44932464050352,"sku":"o03tc","price":10800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"90g (large bag \/ 30g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932464083120,"sku":"o03tb","price":30800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"270g value pack (large bag [30g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932464115888,"sku":"o03tv","price":77800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/pho300_o03.jpg?v=1737905855"},{"product_id":"o12","title":"Taiwan Tie Guan Yin \/ Mu Zha Tie Guan Yin","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        A Tea that Preserves Traditional Methods\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Taiwan Tie Guan Yin (Mu Zha Tie Guan Yin) is a very precious tea that preserves the flavor of Anxi Tie Guan Yin from 300 years ago, which has already disappeared in China.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        The tea leaves, roasted slowly over time, feature a sweet flavor reminiscent of dried fruit and a gentle, smooth taste without bitterness.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        The liquor has an amber color, making it a perfect match for meals and desserts.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tie Guan Yin is one of the most representative oolong teas of China, originating from Anxi in Fujian Province. While China is also known for Phoenix Dan Cong and Wuyi Oolong, Anxi Tie Guan Yin has evolved independently in modern times. Pursuing aromas of orchids and fruits, one style of Anxi Tie Guan Yin has now evolved to closely resemble green tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In contrast, Taiwan's Tie Guan Yin, which developed from Anxi's techniques 300 years ago, has evolved into a style reminiscent of dried fruit without a burnt aroma. The Tie Guan Yin introduced to Taiwan has preserved its original form and traditional production methods. Taiwan Tie Guan Yin (Mu Zha Tie Guan Yin) is therefore a precious tea that conveys the traditional methods of Tie Guan Yin.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Taiwan Tie Guan Yin (Mu Zha Tie Guan Yin) has an amber color, featuring a sweet aroma like dried fruit and a rich, lingering sweetness in the mouth.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    History of Taiwan Tie Guan Yin (Mu Zha Tie Guan Yin)\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Taiwan Tie Guan Yin (Mu Zha Tie Guan Yin) originates from the Wenshan District in Taipei City, northern Taiwan. Records indicate that tea was first planted in northern Taiwan about 300 years ago.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    During the Qing Dynasty (1796–1820), a tea merchant named Ke Chao from Wuyi Mountain in Fujian Province brought tea plants to the Wenshan area in northern Taiwan.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wenshan is famous as a tea-producing area and the birthplace of Taiwanese tea. About 200 years ago, Tie Guan Yin tea plants were also brought from Anxi in Fujian Province and planted in the Muzha area of Wenshan.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Initially, Tie Guan Yin plants were planted in Zhanghu Mountain. Later, 2 brothers, Zhang Nei Miao and Zhang Nei Qian, brought a large number of Tie Guan Yin plants from Anxi and began large-scale production in Muzha.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea bushes in front of a hazy city skyline with a tall tower\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/6D9FE408-AE9F-4616-A5D4-7285CFC03AE9.png?v=1613745595\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e View of Taipei City from the Muzha area\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea fields and houses spread across a mountain slope\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/9029EA4A-45F3-46A5-9EF1-891432D1089A.png?v=1613745615\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Tea gardens in the Muzha area\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Rolled dark green tea leaves arranged on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/D6701AF6-7743-4B10-A4A8-B6B760C2601C.png?v=1613745641\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Two white cups of amber tea\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/07FA87B5-192F-4BF3-B367-9119D0A80E6F.png?v=1613745670\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag)","offer_id":44932463755440,"sku":"o12ta","price":3000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932463788208,"sku":"o12tc","price":9700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932463820976,"sku":"o12tb","price":18900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932463853744,"sku":"o12tv","price":46700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o12_06_51e99159-af9e-4a0d-a5d4-a7e6891e593c.jpg?v=1788365644"},{"product_id":"o07","title":"Li Shan Cha","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        \"There is nothing like Li Shan\"... The best masterpiece of high mountain tea\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Li Shan Cha is made from tea leaves grown at an altitude of 2400m. We source our Li Shan Cha from tea gardens that have received high evaluations in past competitions, and we offer spring teas with the best balance of flavor and sweetness.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        In Japan, this height is equivalent to about the 5th station of Mt. Fuji. The unique climate of the high mountains transforms the tea much like alpine plants, creating an unforgettable floral and citrus flavor.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A glass cup of pale yellow-green tea with a red teapot behind\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/FA70D43B-6E7C-4E46-B6C3-21AB7D1A1860.png\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Refreshing, Elegant Flavor with Sweetness and Smooth Drinking Sensation\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The flavor is reminiscent of mandarin orange and lime. Along with a refreshing, clean fragrance, the tea also offers a sweet floral character and honey notes.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Masterpiece Grown in Li Shan\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Taiwan has many teas called high mountain teas, but Li Shan Cha always reigns at the top.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The unique soil and climate of Li Shan, along with the harsh winter conditions, create a strong citrus flavor and an elegant, sweet aftertaste that other high mountain teas do not possess.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The Difference is in the Tea Leaves\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    A tablespoon of tea leaves expands to fill the teapot when hot water is added. If you have time, take out the tea leaves and observe them.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    You will notice that the leaves retain their plucked shape and are very soft. They are carefully plucked and processed to maintain their original form.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Flavor and Color Lasts Up to the 7th Infusion\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Another feature of high-quality Li Shan Cha is that it can be brewed multiple times. Even after the 7th infusion, the color and flavor remain strong.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    With just 5g of tea leaves, you can enjoy about 1 liter of tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea leaves in red teapots and a soft leaf pinched between fingers\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/8A5F064A-B3C5-401F-8063-4A977E26D8D5.png\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Opened green tea leaves inside a red teapot seen from above\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/4C20E26D-78BB-440F-9FD0-1564E2D045EE.png\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A cup with one rolled leaf beside a cup with an opened leaf\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/87B5EFCD-9A9F-4726-B867-0DD627829BCE.png\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dark green rolled tea leaves in a white bowl\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/977276FD-0A7A-4165-8285-1E25C6C247B7.png\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag)","offer_id":44932463493296,"sku":"o07ta","price":3500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932463526064,"sku":"o07tc","price":11300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932463558832,"sku":"o07tb","price":22100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932463591600,"sku":"o07tv","price":54400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/2021-03-2516.20.26.jpg?v=1737905851"},{"product_id":"o26","title":"Tie Guan Yin Lan Yun","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        Flavor Reminiscent of Orchid Flowers and Fresh Peaches\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Tie Guan Yin Lan Yun is an Anxi-produced Tie Guan Yin characterized by a rich flavor reminiscent of orchid flowers and fresh peaches, with a sweet taste that deeply penetrates the throat.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Made from high-quality spring-plucked tea leaves, it features no astringency or bitterness, a deep aftertaste, and a mellow, deep flavor that is impressive upon first tasting.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details of Anxi Tie Guan Yin Lan Yun\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dark green rolled dried tea leaves on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/F0FB1ACC-91D9-4EF4-93FE-4E4534F82F06.png?v=1613997602\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e These are the leaves of a Qing Xiang type Tie Guan Yin. Due to its green color, it is often mistaken for green tea.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Tie Guan Yin from Anxi, Fujian Province\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tie Guan Yin is perhaps one of the most globally well-known Chinese teas.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    There are various theories about the origin of the name Tie Guan Yin, but nowadays it is used to refer to the \"cultivar.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In other words, oolong tea made from the Tie Guan Yin cultivar is called \"Tie Guan Yin.\" Incidentally, the method of making Tie Guan Yin in Anxi spread to Taiwan.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Muzha Tie Guan Yin, still found near Taipei, Taiwan, preserves the traditional Anxi Tie Guan Yin making method. The basic technique of Taiwan's high mountain tea also has its roots in Anxi.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In fact, the history of Tie Guan Yin is relatively short, having only a few hundred years in its current form. Although tea existed in the Anxi region before then, it was somewhat different from today's Tie Guan Yin.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Originally, Tie Guan Yin had its origins in Wuyi Rock Tea, and like Wuyi oolong, it was traditionally charcoal-roasted.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    One reason why Tie Guan Yin from Anxi is of such high quality is its soil. Anxi is covered with yellow-brown clay, rich in zhuni clay, similar to the tea-producing region of Uji in Japan and the teapot-producing region of Yixing in China.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Thanks to the abundant iron content in the soil, it produces tea with a mellow, rich flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea bushes in front of a signboard with red characters\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/47529AD8-DC28-487D-94DC-392BB7E7C98C.png?v=1613996795\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Qing Xiang Type with Orchid Flower Flavor\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Recently, the non-roasted type has gained high popularity. The non-roasted Tie Guan Yin is called Qing Xiang type and appears green.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The flavor of the tea leaves is quite fruity, generally described as having an orchid flower flavor, but I find it closer to a peach flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The flavor of Tie Guan Yin is really strong, and those who drink it for the first time are often shocked.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Many people who travel to China and drink Qing Xiang Tie Guan Yin for the first time become so captivated that they fall in love with Chinese tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea terraces spreading across a mountain slope\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/DD42CF65-3A2A-43E5-8F20-D64A02FBCCC6.png?v=1613996854\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Tea leaves of the Tie Guan Yin cultivar\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A person in a white shirt walking on a path between tea terraces\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/A8D796A4-514A-4321-B6E8-4F96A182F171.png?v=1613996878\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Tea plantation of the Tie Guan Yin cultivar in Anxi\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Tea Plucking After the Branches Grow\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Anxi, tea buds sprout in March, which is about half a month to a month earlier than in Japan. In Japan, the tea harvest season is from mid-April to mid-May.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, in the case of Tie Guan Yin, plucking does not happen in March, nor in April. Tea plucking is done in May when the tea leaves have grown significantly and become large and hard.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    By this time, the stems of the tea have turned from green to brown, and the buds are gone, becoming more like \"branches.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To produce the unique flavor of Tie Guan Yin, young buds are insufficient, and large, fully-grown leaves are necessary. The rich flavor of Tie Guan Yin can only be achieved through deep fermentation of mature leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Moreover, Anxi Tie Guan Yin is known for its strong throat feel, partly because fully-grown leaves are used.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Compared to young buds, fully-grown leaves have a higher polyphenol content, and high polyphenol content means more minerals.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It's the same principle as fruit that stays on the tree until the end being more flavorful.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Hands holding freshly plucked green tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/CC81FCD1-51D4-4A31-A462-CDC5DA67CC9B.png?v=1613997012\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Harvesting after the branches have grown very large\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Close-up of a pile of green tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/F68478D4-5025-47E7-9A5F-3A22C8B1D501.png?v=1613997044\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Tea leaves immediately after fermentation\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Highly Fermented Tie Guan Yin Even if It Looks Green\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The liquor color of the brewed tea is light greenish-yellow, and many people say that \"recent Tie Guan Yin is no different from green tea.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, Tie Guan Yin is a completely different tea from green tea. Judging it as green tea just because it looks green is a bit hasty.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In the case of Tie Guan Yin, it is actually deeply fermented. Therefore, it is quite different from green tea. It is more fermented than Taiwanese oolong tea, and at the end of fermentation, the edges of the tea leaves turn reddish-brown.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    A unique process in Tie Guan Yin production is the removal of the browned edges during processing. This removal is sometimes done by hand, and recently, machines are used.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Even in high-grade Tie Guan Yin, the tea leaves often appear broken and do not retain their original shape after this process.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Hands sorting through green tea leaves on a round bamboo tray\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/06C2F6BE-7CF7-480F-A420-809982423AC3.png?v=1613997119\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The photo above shows the removal of the edges by hand\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The finished Tie Guan Yin often has protruding stems due to the late harvest.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To achieve a clearer flavor, the stems are carefully removed by hand in Anxi. Visiting Anxi in May and June, you will see people everywhere removing stems from Tie Guan Yin.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Workers in white caps sorting tea leaves by hand on bamboo trays\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/F6CA3892-CD07-4EC1-9665-CC847F5E9D67.png?v=1613997174\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Manual removal of stems even in large factories\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Hands sorting tea leaves spread on a white cloth\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/0B220224-B5AF-4A1B-8609-41184A9BAA40.png?v=1613997194\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hand removal of stems\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    How the Grade of Tie Guan Yin is Determined\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In the case of Tie Guan Yin, the Qing Xiang type is generally the most expensive.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This is not determined by anyone specifically, but because of its high market demand. The grading of Anxi tea is very clear: the stronger the depth and throat feel, the higher the price.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In other words, as the quality increases, the tea becomes softer, and the depth of flavor increases. Since Anxi Tie Guan Yin uses fully-grown branches as raw material, many teas exhibit strong astringency.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, tea selection must be done carefully, and we evaluate the presence of astringency by brewing the tea very strong and repeatedly swishing it in the mouth.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Generally, tea harvested at high altitudes, from the first flush, and grown with minimal nitrogen-based fertilizers is of good quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tie Guan Yin Lan Yun sold by HOJO offers a transparent flavor, deep richness, and no unpleasant astringency.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Furthermore, Anxi Tie Guan Yin has a very strong personality, and it is important to carefully choose the teapot when brewing it.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Initially, using glass, porcelain, or bone china is advisable. The teapots from Nosaka and Mumyoi in HOJO's lineup are well-suited. If you already own these teapots, please use them. If not, using incompatible teapots can flatten the flavor and reduce richness.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"20g (small bag)","offer_id":44932462969008,"sku":"o26ca","price":3200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"70g (in can)","offer_id":44932463001776,"sku":"o26cc","price":10800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"210g (large bag\/70g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932463034544,"sku":"o26cb","price":32100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"630g value pack (large bag [70g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932463067312,"sku":"o26cv","price":77800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0063.jpg?v=1737905846"},{"product_id":"o73","title":"Black Tie Guan Yin","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\n    Long and Multiple Baking Processes\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The Black Tie Guan Yin is made from traditional Tie Guan Yin. The uniqueness lies in its deep baking process, turning the tea leaves black. However, the baking method is not simple. The tea undergoes several stages of baking at different temperatures. Thanks to this special baking method, the tea develops a unique flavor, with hints of dried fruit and caramel notes.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea garden is located above 1000m. The high mountain climate gives the tea a strong aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_7946-1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Close-up of dark rolled dried tea leaves on a wooden surface\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6224\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_7946-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_7932-1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Dark rolled dried tea leaves on a wooden scoop\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6222\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_7932-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_7929.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Dark rolled dried tea leaves in a metal scoop\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6221\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_7929.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    We Have Tested to Ensure the Tea Meets Japan's Pesticide Standards\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Generally, teas produced in Fujian province tend to contain higher pesticide residues. From the past to today, Fujian teas have always been in high demand in the domestic Chinese market. Most tea producers focus on the domestic market, where pesticide requirements are lower. They do not have to strictly control it. Subsequently, it was very tough to find tea that could meet our standards. We selected material from gardens managed according to European pesticide standards. Additionally, we sent the tea to the SGS Lab and tested it for more than 400 substances to ensure it meets Japan's standards.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    5g for 1 Liter of Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For brewing Black Tie Guan Yin, we can use the same method as for brewing ordinary oolong tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    With 5g of tea leaves, we should be able to brew 1000ml of tea. Please use boiling hot water for brewing.\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7949-1_c2b3b9ed-81c1-4920-8ce0-c9142961045b.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Amber tea in a white cup with a white spoon\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6218\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7949-1_c2b3b9ed-81c1-4920-8ce0-c9142961045b.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    The Cold Water Brewed Black Tie Guan Yin\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The Black Tie Guan Yin is also suitable for cold water brewing. In fact, I enjoyed this tea very much in summer because of the hot weather. The cold water brewed Black Tie Guan Yin is mellower, and the drinking sensation is softer.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It is very easy to prepare Black Tie Guan Yin in cold water:\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    1. Use about 5g of tea leaves and place them in a bottle of cold water.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    2. Leave it in the fridge for more than 5 hours, and the tea is ready.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    I usually prepare it at night and drink it the next day. If we keep the tea in the fridge, we can continue drinking it for 3-4 days. Please note that you should not use aluminum, copper, or colored glass bottles for brewing. These materials spoil the taste of the tea and make it taste flat. If you prefer a stronger flavor, please use water that has been boiled once and cooled down. Fresh water contains calcium bicarbonate, which is converted into calcium carbonate once boiled. This is why boiled water gives a sweeter taste.\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8023-1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Dark tea leaves steeping in a glass pot\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6223\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8023-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_7956.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding a glass of amber tea against green foliage\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6217\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_7956.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Black Tie Guan Yin with Milk\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Another way to enjoy Black Tie Guan Yin is to serve it with milk. Normally, black tea pairs well with milk. However, I personally think that deeply-fired oolong also has a good affinity with milk. If you wish to add milk to Black Tie Guan Yin, please brew the tea with less water and mix it with fresh milk. Since the flavor of Black Tie Guan Yin is very stable, it's fine to brew the tea in hot water for more than 10 minutes. It is also nice to drink it chilled.\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_7969-1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"A glass of milk tea with ice cubes\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6215\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_7969-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_7992.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding a glass of iced milk tea\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6214\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_7992.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7971-1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Glass of iced milk tea on a wooden table\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6216\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7971-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag)","offer_id":44932462706864,"sku":"o73ca","price":650.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932462739632,"sku":"o73cc","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932462772400,"sku":"o73cb","price":3700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932462805168,"sku":"o73cv","price":9300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_7946-1.jpg?v=1737905843"},{"product_id":"b05","title":"Formosa Black Tea","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Many people may not be familiar with Taiwan Black Tea, but it is extremely popular in Taiwan, to the point where production cannot keep up with domestic demand. It is a rare and highly sought-after tea.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Despite its unassuming appearance, those who drink it are often surprised by its strong and distinctive characteristics. The most notable feature of this tea is its unique flavor.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        The sweet menthol aroma and full-bodied taste, characteristic of Taiwanese black tea, provide great satisfaction to the drinker. The true essence of Taiwanese black tea is encapsulated in these leaves.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Taiwan is famous for producing High Mountain Oolong Tea. However, there is also black tea produced here that might not be well-known in other countries. It is called Red Jade Tea, sometimes referred to as Taicha No. 18 or Sun Moon Lake Black Tea. We call it Formosa Black Tea, derived from the old name for Taiwan, Formosa. This unique tea yields a liquor with a very special and unforgettable aroma, a sweet malty scent like raw chocolate with a minty undertone.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Taiwan is known for the famous Oriental Beauty tea. Although classified as an oolong tea, its high degree of fermentation makes it more akin to black tea. Even in Taiwan, we are familiar with highly fermented teas like Oriental Beauty, and these techniques are well reflected in the production of Formosa black tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Formosa Black Tea\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/9235\/1065\/files\/b05_03_480x480.jpg?v=1614867729\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Brandy Like Flavor\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Formosa black tea may look common, but those who try it are amazed by its strong and unique characteristics. Its flavor is often described as having a cognac-like scent with a pronounced mint aroma. While some Ceylon teas, like Uva Quality Season Tea, have a menthol aroma, Formosa black tea's menthol aroma is much stronger, making it more appropriate to describe it as brandy-like.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea pairs well with dessert or can be enjoyed in the evening. The strong aroma is enriching and provides a sense of satisfaction and well-being.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Due to its strong flavor, it can be enjoyed with milk. However, to fully appreciate its unique flavor, it is best enjoyed straight.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Supply of Quality Black Tea is Limited\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Until now, Taiwanese tea hasn't been very famous due to its limited production volume, which couldn't even meet domestic demand, let alone be exported. Consequently, Taiwanese black tea is hardly known overseas. However, the quality of Formosa black tea, among Taiwanese black teas, stands out. This tea was created by further improving the Assam varieties cultivated over a long time.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The production area is in lowland regions where the temperature is around 23℃ throughout the year. Harvesting begins in spring, with the best quality season being summer. The plucking process involves plucking one bud and a few leaves. The processing steps include plucking, indoor withering, rolling, fermentation, and drying.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/b05_pho_002.jpg\" alt=\"Plucking Formosa Black Tea\" width=\"648\" height=\"486\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Storage of Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Deeply fermented tea like Formosa black tea lasts for more than a year once the bag is opened. It is very stable during storage and safe to consume even after a few years. However, the freshness diminishes over time. Tea should be tightly sealed and stored in a dry place away from humidity. Avoid keeping it in the kitchen or enclosed areas like cupboards or drawers. It's recommended to open the bag on a sunny day or in an air-conditioned environment. Once tea leaves absorb moisture, they deteriorate within a few days, becoming astringent and sometimes sour, with a weakened aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\n    Beware of Keeping Tea in the Fridge\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    While tea can last longer in the fridge, it is not recommended. When tea is taken out of the fridge, condensation can occur, leading to quality deterioration. Simple sealing methods are not sufficient, as air will be drawn into the bag, causing condensation. Frequent temperature changes also cause heat stress to the tea leaves. If tea is kept in the fridge, it should be left in ambient conditions for more than 24 hours to warm up completely.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\n    Enjoy Maturation\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tea can be enjoyed as it matures over a few years in ambient conditions, changing its character. Fresh tea has a flowery or fruity aroma, while matured tea offers a sweeter aroma. Preference between fresh and matured tea varies, with elderly people often preferring the latter.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":44932461330608,"sku":"b05ta","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g (in can)","offer_id":44932461363376,"sku":"b05tc","price":4900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (large bag\/50g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932461396144,"sku":"b05tb","price":9400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [50g x 2 bags] x 6 bags)","offer_id":44932461428912,"sku":"b05tv","price":36300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_6312.jpg?v=1737905830"},{"product_id":"b29","title":"Wild Black Tea","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Black Tea Made from Wild Tea Growing Deep in the Mountains of Yunnan Province\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wild Black Tea is a strong black tea made from wild tea growing deep in the mountains of Yunnan Province. Wild tea refers to tea growing naturally in the mountains, untouched by human hands.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It is characterized by a honey-like sweet aroma, strong body, and profound richness unique to wild tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Rich in minerals, it improves blood circulation, making you feel warm and relaxed almost instantly.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/F951F0DF-1894-430D-AC8F-941ACD71D306.png?v=1614601516\" alt=\"Wild Black Tea\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Black Tea Made from Leaves Harvested from Wild Tea Trees\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/C7161E64-87F2-45EA-B72F-F70234602154.png?v=1614601610\" alt=\"Harvesting Wild Tea\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wild tea trees refer to natural tea trees growing in remote mountain areas of Yunnan Province, not old trees over hundreds or thousands of years.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n  When we first introduced Wild Black Tea around 2013, black tea made from wild tea was very rare and difficult to obtain. However, by the 2020s, black tea made from wild tea became a kind of boom, and everyone started making wild black tea. Unfortunately, many of these teas have not been well-managed, resulting in an over-fermented, stuffy smell, or lacking top notes, leading to unsatisfactory quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/5358359D-10CF-42F6-BDDA-D4F56455C6AD.png?v=1614601694\" alt=\"Wild Black Tea Infusion\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Well-made Wild Black Tea should have a very complex aroma and a strong aftertaste with profound richness unique to wild tea. Depending on the water used to brew the tea, the aroma changes significantly. With the right water, it has a honey fragrance similar to Oriental Beauty tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/E87C907B-A16B-4D88-8A90-D3E58D1F3950.png?v=1614601755\" alt=\"Wild Black Tea Leaves\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    What is Wild Tea?\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Our wild tea is harvested from the  mountain in Lincang, Yunnan Province. Wild tea refers to tea growing naturally in the mountains without any human intervention.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Almost every store or site specializing in Chinese pu-erh tea has \"wild tea,\" but I would say that 90% of them are not wild tea but tea harvested from old tea trees cultivated by ethnic minorities near their village or in their tea garden.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    True wild tea should grow in the mountains without any human care.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A man in an old cultivated tea tree beside tall mossy wild tea trees\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/ly_d27e_02_1719317248.jpg?v=1719317256\" id=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/ly_d27e_02_1719317248.jpg?v=1719317256\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Deliciousness of Wild Vegetables\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In spring, Japanese people often eat wild vegetables, which are very tasty. Cultivated vegetables taste completely different from those grown in the mountains even those they are replanted.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The sweetness is particularly notable. Wild tea is very sweet, like wild vegetables harvested from the mountains, leaving a sweet aftertaste in the throat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    I have never tasted such a mellow and sweet tea in my life. Wild Black Tea is one of the strongest teas sold by HOJO, making you feel tea intoxication immediately after drinking.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It warms your body instantly, making you feel relaxed right away.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/5EF94331-3B6B-41C0-8102-A0DA748D3313.png?v=1614601850\" alt=\"Wild Tea Aroma\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Grape-Like Aroma\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    While many wild teas are bitter and cater to enthusiasts, Wild Black Tea is an exception.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Like wild vegetables that vary in bitterness, wild tea flavors vary by tree. The Ai Lao Shan wild tea sold last year was slightly bitter.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In contrast, Wild Black Tea has no bitterness. It has a strong woody aroma, and after drinking, a faint aroma of wild grapes or dried apricots lingers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Additionally, this tea has a smoky aroma. Interestingly, the smoky aroma present before drinking disappears in the mouth.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    I carefully selected teas from nearly 20 different wild tea regions to find non-bitter teas.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Tea Loved by Children\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    My children also love this tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Good tea is rich in iron, similar in nature to human body fluids and breast milk.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Although the aroma doesn't seem suitable for children, when brewed, they often say, \"It has a strong flavor and is delicious.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    They repeatedly ask for refills, and by the time they finish drinking, their faces are flushed and their bodies are very warm.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Rich in iron, it is said to be good for modern people who are often iron-deficient.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u0026nbsp;\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    How is Wild Tea Different from Regular Tea?\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wild tea grows amidst fierce competition with other plants. In the dim forest, tea leaves strive to reach sunlight.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As a result, the tea tree only has leaves at the top where it receives sunlight. Despite the tree's size, the few leaves contain a high concentration of minerals.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Without pruning or fertilizers, the wild tea tree grows very slowly, resulting in small, dense cells that produce rich flavors like freshly harvested wild vegetables.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Rich in iron, it is also beneficial for those who need iron. Wild tea leaves are characteristically brownish, even when fresh.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Old tea trees on a hillside and a hand holding young leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/ly_d27e_01_1719317173.jpg?v=1719317180\" id=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/ly_d27e_01_1719317173.jpg?v=1719317180\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The above photo shows tea trees hundreds of years old. High-quality raw pu-erh tea is made from such old trees.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, these old trees are not wild tea. They are old and high-quality tea leaves, but they are classified as \"cultivated tea.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Wild tea trees in a forest, with close-ups of bark and a shoot\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/ly_d22e_02_1719317301.jpg?v=1719317303\" id=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/ly_d22e_02_1719317301.jpg?v=1719317303\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This is a wild tea tree growing deep in the mountains, a few hours' walk from the nearest village.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wild tea grows at altitudes around 2000m and above, with trees ranging from young to over 1000 years old. The buds stretch upwards, seeking sunlight.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Video of Wild Tea Exploration\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This video shows my wild tea exploration, giving you a better understanding of wild tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/k6WRvgJl80g\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"20g (small bag)","offer_id":44932460806320,"sku":"b29ca","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g (in can)","offer_id":44932460839088,"sku":"b29cc","price":3600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (large bag\/50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932460871856,"sku":"b29cb","price":10400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [50g x 3 bags] x 4 bags)","offer_id":44932460904624,"sku":"b29cv","price":34200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/b29_06.jpg?v=1737905825"},{"product_id":"b54","title":"Lapsang Souchong Qi Zhong","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea, made from the native Qi Zhong cultivar harvested from a naturally cultivated tea garden at an altitude of 1200m in Tong Mu Guan, has a sweet fruity aroma reminiscent of peaches and mangoes.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It has no smoky aroma whatsoever, unlike the commonly known Lapsang Souchong.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Qi Zhong, the Native Variety of Tong Mu Guan\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A man in an orange shirt tilting a large iron pan over dark tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/FB6AF4B7-66B0-4F62-AE89-3319095FE896.png\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The native tea that has been growing wild in Tong Mu Guan, Xingcun Town, Wuyi Shan, is locally called Qi Zhong.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Japan, this type of tea is called zairai (native variety), referring to tea grown from seeds.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tea grown from seeds develops a taproot that grows straight down into the soil like a burdock root, making it easy to absorb minerals and producing a rich, long-lasting aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Qi Zhong, the native tea of Tong Mu Guan, is highly valued locally as a raw material for premium Lapsang Souchong.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woven basket of freshly plucked green tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/4AFAC6C3-5D0F-4DDF-BD8C-C4E71B7DD35D.png\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We purchase tea directly from farmers and producers who own tea gardens in Tong Mu Guan. The tea garden where we source our Lapsang Souchong Qi Zhong is at an altitude of around 1200m, with tea trees over 100 years old.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Tong Mu Guan, the entire village practices natural farming, and the tea garden we source from uses no pesticides or fertilizers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As a result, the tea grows very slowly, producing a rich taste with a long-lasting aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Green forested mountains and a valley with a road\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/41AB8B5C-0BD1-4074-9EC6-BC76FB76B182.png\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Lapsang Souchong: The Tea that Inspired Earl Grey\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Lapsang Souchong, known as the world's first black tea, is well known among tea enthusiasts.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In 1662, when King Charles II of England married Princess Catherine of Portugal, she brought her favorite Lapsang Souchong with her, which is said to have sparked the tea boom in England.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A weathered wooden building beside a mountain stream\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/FFD1A6F0-A911-46BD-AE8B-D1289CA530E1.png\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    There are many interesting stories about Lapsang Souchong. For example, it is said to be the tea that inspired the famous Earl Grey.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Earl Grey was developed when the British, impressed by the sweet fruity aroma of Lapsang Souchong, attempted to replicate that aroma by adding bergamot.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A man letting a handful of tea leaves fall from his hands\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/0D6F6896-7EA0-40AF-BB76-9F3929BA2B24.png\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The Mystery of the Sweet Fruity Aroma of Lapsang Souchong\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When reading the many legendary accounts, one cannot help but imagine Lapsang Souchong as a tea with an enchanting, sweet, fruity aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, many Lapsang Souchong teas available worldwide have a strong smoky aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Many tea enthusiasts drawn to the stories of Lapsang Souchong may have been puzzled by the gap between the legend and the actual aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Currently, Lapsang Souchong production in Wuyi Shan is divided into 2 types. Teas with a pine smoke aroma are mainly for export, while teas with no smoky aroma and a fruity flavor are made for domestic consumption.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Generally, teas with a smoky aroma are referred to as Traditional Style or Traditional Type, distinguishing them from teas without a smoky flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A weathered wooden building with firewood stacked beneath\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/63C38EB9-4D8D-4851-A358-4CBD9DF8A390.png\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A person\u0026#x27;s hands in a large tub of dark tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/ABBA64B1-E633-4F0D-B881-3BFB78CC2B17.png\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The reason why many Lapsang Souchong teas available worldwide lack a fruity flavor is that many inexpensive export teas are made from tea not grown in Tong Mu Guan — known as Wai Shan Xiao Zhong — and these teas carry little fruity flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Further Maturation through Charcoal Roasting\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The most distinctive feature of the Lapsang Souchong Qi Zhong production method is the charcoal roasting step that follows the standard black tea processes of withering, rolling, enzyme inactivation, and drying.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This step is shared with Phoenix Dan Cong oolong tea and Wuyi oolong tea. By applying heat slowly at a low temperature, the maturation of the tea is accelerated and the fruity flavor is enhanced.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This charcoal roasting process is essential for creating the unique fruity flavor of Lapsang Souchong.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In recent years, many non-roasted or electrically roasted teas have been produced, but we insist on sourcing Lapsang Souchong roasted at low temperatures over charcoal.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"20g (small bag)","offer_id":44932460282032,"sku":"b54ca","price":2700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g (in can)","offer_id":44932460314800,"sku":"b54cc","price":6500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (large bag\/50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932460347568,"sku":"b54cb","price":19100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [50g x 3 bags] x 4 bags)","offer_id":44932460380336,"sku":"b54cv","price":62200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/b54_01.jpg?v=1737905819"},{"product_id":"o18s","title":"Tian Chi Li Shan Cha Special","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    Tian Chi Li Shan Cha is tea harvested from gardens at an altitude of 2500–2600m in Li Shan, named after a nearby pond called Tian Chi. While Tian Chi Li Shan Cha is one of our standard products, the Special grade introduced here is of an entirely different caliber. A particular lot from a specific section of the garden had a truly distinctive flavor — one that surprised us the moment we tasted it, and we decided to purchase it on the spot.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n    The dried tea leaves have a citrus-like aroma, but when brewed, they release a refreshing citrus scent combined with an aroma reminiscent of matsutake mushrooms. Although the comparison to matsutake may seem surprising, it is entirely positive. The fusion of the clean, forest-like quality of matsutake with the brightness of citrus creates a fragrance reminiscent of tropical fruits. Thanks to the extremely high altitude of the tea garden, the taste is very soft and smooth.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea garden with rows of tea bushes and tall trees in fog\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-7844\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/83711446_473585796657128_56471217850286080_n-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Rolled green oolong tea leaves on a bamboo scoop\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-7841\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5226.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Opened green tea leaves in a white bowl\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-7846\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_5249-1.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag)","offer_id":44932458840240,"sku":"o19sta","price":10300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932458873008,"sku":"o19stc","price":20200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932458905776,"sku":"o19stb","price":40000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932458938544,"sku":"o19stv","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_5226.jpg?v=1737905804"},{"product_id":"g16","title":"Karigane","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        Umami ≠ Delicious\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        The current trend in Japanese tea is towards teas with high levels of umami. The main component of umami is an amino acid called theanine, but umami ≠ delicious. Umami refers to a taste represented by substances like  glutamic acid, similar to dashi.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        To increase the amino acid content in tea leaves, it is necessary to apply nitrogen fertilizer.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        In tea gardens where nitrogen fertilizer is applied, the tea plants grow vigorously, but the content of polyphenols and minerals, including catechins, is reduced.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Additionally, teas with high theanine content have a lighter taste, as the depth of flavor (richness and aftertaste) is weaker.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        Rich Flavor is the Characteristic of HOJO's Japanese Tea\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        At HOJO, we focus on selecting teas rich in flavor, choosing those that are high in catechins and minerals rather than theanine.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Teas rich in minerals are typically produced with natural farming methods, using no or minimal fertilizers. Enjoy the sweet aftertaste that lingers in your throat after drinking our tea.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    We Obtained the Stems from the First Flush Tea Usually Enjoyed by Farmers\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We carefully roasted the stems collected from the first flush tea harvested in Hisaka and Higashiyama areas of Kikugawa, creating a fragrant and mellow tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    You can easily enjoy the sweet flavor and robust body. The rich mouthfeel provides a satisfying experience.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It is more affordable than sencha, and despite being stems, it can be brewed for 6-7 infusions, making it a cost-effective tea perfect for daily drinking.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Conveniently Delicious Stem Tea Made from First Flush Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Green tea stems on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/C0E15E90-2D78-4777-94C5-DCA6669F5F22.png?v=1615170559\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The name \"Karigane\" (Kuki Cha, stem tea) comes from the fact that wild geese (karigane) rest on branches during their sea migrations.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Karigane is made from the stems of tea leaves. Though you might think there's no need to drink stems, give it a try. You'll find the stems are surprisingly sweet with little bitterness or astringency, making them quite delicious.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Stem tea is generally enjoyed by local producers because it is affordable and delicious. It is often purchased from factories for personal use or given as gifts to relatives and friends.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, high-quality stem tea is as difficult to obtain as premium sencha.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The quality of stem tea from the second and third flush is significantly lower. Stems harvested late tend to be more astringent, and the stick tea commonly found in supermarkets is of this quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We collected only the first flush stems from Hisaka and Higashiyama areas of Kikugawa.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Short chopped green tea stems on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/7654D410-30A2-433C-ABA8-ED8DB2A76355.png?v=1615170643\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Because it is made only from the first flush stems, the tea is soft and elastic to the touch when brewed.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A white cup of pale yellow-green tea\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/58156E47-636E-4C7F-9C58-298559EAE699.png?v=1615170657\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In contrast to the translucent sencha, the tea liquor is a vivid green. The rich mouthfeel provides a satisfying experience.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932457758896,"sku":"g16ja","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932457791664,"sku":"g16jc","price":3700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932457824432,"sku":"g16jv","price":9300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/g16_316_03.jpg?v=1737905774"},{"product_id":"g34","title":"Uji Hojicha Jubuzan","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: 0.9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        Umami Does Not Equal Deliciousness\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        The current mainstream in Japanese tea focuses on high umami content. Umami is primarily composed of an amino acid called theanine, but umami does not equal deliciousness. Umami refers to flavors represented by monosodium glutamate, like those found in broth.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        To increase the amino acid content in tea leaves, nitrogen fertilizer is necessary. While tea trees in nitrogen-fertilized gardens grow vigorously, they also contain fewer polyphenols and minerals, such as catechins.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Additionally, tea with high theanine content has a weaker depth of flavor, resulting in a lighter taste.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n        Our Japanese Tea Focuses on Rich Flavor and Aftertaste\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        We select tea with a rich flavor, choosing teas high in catechins and minerals rather than theanine. Tea rich in minerals is typically grown naturally, with little to no fertilizers.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n        Enjoy the sweet aftertaste that lingers in your throat when you drink our tea.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Producing Hoji Tea with Deep, Lingering Aftertaste Comparable to Premium Teas Worldwide\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Uji Hojicha Jubuzan is a hoji tea made from the first flush of naturally cultivated tea in Jubuzan, a mountain in Wazuka Town, Kyoto Prefecture.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wazuka Town, along with Ujitawara Town, Minamiyamashiro Village, Kasagi Town, Tsukigase, and Asamiya, has long been known as a producer of high-quality Uji tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We have produced hoji tea with a rich flavor and a long-lasting aftertaste. The tea is custom roasted from the first flush of naturally cultivated tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This hoji tea is of a quality that even those accustomed to high-end Chinese teas will appreciate. The deep richness and sweet aftertaste that lingers in your throat redefine the standards of hoji tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Unusual Quality, That is Defined by The Long Lasting Aftertaste\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We wanted to create a high-quality hoji that you've never tasted before.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    High-quality tea has depth of flavor, making the tea feel soft and the sweet aftertaste linger. The most important factor in achieving this flavor is the selection of raw materials. We chose Uji Sencha Jubuzan, known for its deep throat feel and excellent raw material quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    By growing the tea slowly and without any fertilizer, the leaves contain more polyphenols and iron. The difference in fragrance and taste is evident even to those not familiar with tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    We Paid Attention to the Roasting Process\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The raw sencha was roasted using a sand-roasting method. Sand has a large surface area, allowing heat to be evenly transferred to the tea leaves, resulting in uniform roasting.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    A Sweet, Toasted Flavor Similar to High-Quality Oolong Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Many people have tasted this tea, and most of them said, \"This is not hoji tea.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It truly doesn't taste like hoji tea. It has a sweet flavor like high-quality oolong tea, an unimaginable smoothness, deep throat feel, and a lasting sweet aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The brewed tea has an amber color and tastes and smells more like high-quality oolong tea than hoji tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Thin stem-like tea leaves in a white gaiwan\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/513CB004-8453-4DA7-BD10-39AAA2EA9680.png?v=1615373015\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The tea has a glossy amber color, and its potential can be sensed the moment you smell it.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Brewed tea leaves in a white gaiwan\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/0CFFA927-0A56-441A-BD4A-BCBC6AD8839A.png?v=1615373054\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Touch the brewed tea leaves. They are surprisingly soft and elastic, contrary to their appearance.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Experience the Quality Difference Through Water Quality\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The higher the quality of tea, the more iron it contains, which alters the nature of the water itself.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The iron in the tea affects the water quality, making it very soft and viscous.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Uji Hojicha Jubuzan dramatically changes the water's nature. Just a small sip gives a pleasant tea high.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A glass pitcher filled with yellow tea\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/F363AA85-EB7E-4F15-A8B9-7FF56923E9F8.png?v=1615373119\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It has a color more like oolong tea than hoji tea.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Two small white cups of pale yellow tea\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/E614BD32-7E51-4A2E-B439-0131659AF0A0.png?v=1615373135\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Because of its high quality, it is also suitable to drink from small tea cups.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This product uses Uji Sencha Jubuzan as the raw material. Unlike hoji tea made from stems or coarse tea, the raw material itself is costly.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Additionally, when making hoji tea, the extra roasting process results in weight loss, which is reflected in the cost, making it slightly more expensive than sencha.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Below is an explanation of the raw material used, Uji Sencha Jubuzan.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    We Focused on Natural Cultivation Without Fertilizers to Achieve Deep Throat Feel and Sweet Aftertaste\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Jubuzan is a 682-meter-high mountain located between Ujitawara Town and Wazuka Town. This area used to be the bottom of Lake Biwa, which is why it contains rich clayey red soil.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When sourcing this tea, we selected naturally cultivated tea leaves from Jubuzan's ideal environment. Natural cultivation means growing the tea without fertilizers or pesticides, allowing it to grow robustly and naturally over time.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Modern agriculture often relies on fertilizers for tea production.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, tea grown with excessive fertilizer grows excessively, accumulating large amounts of amino acids but lacking polyphenols and minerals essential for flavor and aftertaste, resulting in bland tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In general, Japanese tea relies heavily on amino acids, leading to a very light taste. Excessive roasting is used to enhance the tea's character, but good tea should be impressive even in its raw state.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The phrase \"tea rich in theanine\" often cited in books implies tea heavily fertilized with nitrogen, which, in my definition, means less tasty tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The difference is clear when comparing fresh leaves from various tea gardens. When planning this year's new product, we focused extensively on selecting the best raw materials before discussing the processing methods.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    By sourcing excellent raw materials, we achieved delicious tea without the heavy roasting typically seen in the Japanese tea industry.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Preserving the Natural Flavor by Not Removing Stems\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Japanese tea, stems are usually removed because they are yellow and noticeable.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Modern tea production always removes stems to achieve visually appealing green leaves. However, we intentionally leave the stems. Through various experiments, we found that stems play a crucial role. Stems contain abundant minerals and have a sweet flavor and body.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Those familiar with stem tea, like Karigane, know that stem tea is very sweet!\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We conducted a comparison by hand-removing stems with tweezers from some tea and leaving the stems in others.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The results were surprising; the tea with stems had a much better flavor and body. Everyone who tasted it agreed that the tea with stems was more delicious.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Removing the stems made the flavor sharper and significantly weakened the sweet, floral scent and body.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Historically, it was considered good luck to have a tea stem standing upright in your cup, known as \"chabashira\" in Japanese. Nowadays, stems are not included in tea, so this rarely occurs. In the past, people appreciated the sweetness of stems and habitually drank tea with them.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Today, aesthetics often take precedence over flavor and aroma, leading to the removal of stems.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Sourcing Tea from Completely Natural Cultivation Gardens to Provide Sweet, Lingering Aftertaste\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The moment you swallow this tea, you will be amazed at how different it feels from ordinary tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea smoothly flows down your throat, leaving a pleasant sweetness from the root of your tongue to the back of your throat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This is a characteristic of high-quality tea. Although this product would command a high price overseas, the unique standards of Japanese quality allowed us to offer it at a realistic price.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Simply put, the definition of good tea is \"rich flavor.\" Richness refers to the deep, satisfying taste felt in the back of your throat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Using more tea leaves for cheaper tea increases bitterness but does not enhance the richness. Uji Sencha Jubuzan meets this definition of richness. Even with a small amount of tea leaves, it makes the water taste rich, providing deep satisfaction. It's similar to how high-quality kombu requires only a light touch in water to impart its flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Unlike typical Japanese tea with a strong amino acid flavor, this tea has a refreshing, clean scent, similar to oolong tea. It is perfect for those who enjoy oolong tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The Blind Spot of Organic Cultivation\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    There is a common belief that organic cultivation equals healthy and delicious. While organic cultivation is safe from a pesticide perspective, it does not necessarily mean the tea is delicious or healthy.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To produce delicious vegetables, fruits, and tea, it is essential to grow the plants slowly to develop high cell density leaves, rich in polyphenols and minerals, resulting in a flavorful, rich sweetness.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    I have tasted many organically grown teas, but many of them were indistinguishable from regular tea in terms of quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This largely depends on the fertilizers used and the cultivation methods. Even organic fertilizers like compost act similarly to chemical fertilizers like nitrates.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Nitrogen stimulates vigorous growth, causing large cell growth, which results in fewer polyphenols and minerals, producing bland tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    My family grows apples, and when nitrogen fertilizer is applied, the leaves turn deep green and the apples grow larger. However, the apples taste bland and watery.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Regardless of organic or inorganic, growing tea naturally — like wild vegetables, slowly and robustly — is crucial for producing high-quality tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tea grown under harsh conditions over time reflects its struggle in its quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A tea plant growing beside a mound of compost\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/F5BD0218-AA80-494C-B5BC-DB0EF6FF4EED.png?v=1615373343\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tea tree beside animal manure. The leaves are large and deep green, unlike typical tea trees. Tea made from such leaves will have a bland taste and little throat feel.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Deep Pruning\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The more deeply a tea tree is pruned, the more vigorously it grows the following year.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \"Vigorous growth\" means larger cells with fewer minerals, resulting in lower-quality tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Deep pruning is common in high-production areas like Shizuoka and Kagoshima. By providing nitrogen and deep pruning, growth is accelerated, leaf size increases, and production volume rises.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    High quality typically means lower production and rarity. It's unrealistic to expect both high quality and high production.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As with highland vegetables or delicious apples, slow growth results in high-density cells, producing flavorful food.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This applies not only to vegetables but also to fish. Farmed fish grown quickly and naturally grown fish grown slowly have similar differences.\n\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea plants growing among ferns and other greenery\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/36BD8751-6769-4876-A0A0-F4FCD9879400.png?v=1615373542\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Pruned tea leaves produce vigorous young branches and large green leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The More You Drink, the Sleepier You Get\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This is not an issue with Uji Sencha Jubuzan. On the contrary, it is perfect for those seeking deep sleep.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    High-mineral tea, which is considered \"premium tea\" in overseas markets, warms the body and makes you sleepy.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    While tea contains caffeine, known to prevent sleep if consumed excessively, high-quality tea's increased mineral content improves circulation, leading to sleepiness.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Uji Sencha Jubuzan contains abundant minerals, sometimes causing a light tea high, similar to the relaxation felt after drinking premium brandy, whiskey, or wine.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This is not a psychological effect; continued drinking will make your face flush and feel relaxed and mellow.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Although Japanese law prohibits specifying health benefits, foods that improve circulation also aid in relaxation, digestion, and sleep.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Experience it for yourself by drinking it.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    About Jubuzan\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Uji Hojicha Jubuzan is grown in Jubuzan, a mountain in Wazuka Town, Kyoto Prefecture.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wazuka Town, along with Ujitawara Town, Minamiyamashiro Village, Kasagi Town, Tsukigase, and Asamiya, has long been known as a producer of high-quality Uji tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The area, once the bottom of Lake Biwa, was uplifted, and subsequent erosion by the Nabari River created unique river terraces characteristic of Tsukigase.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The former lakebed contains extremely high-quality, fine-grained red soil.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, not all areas along the Nabari River have red soil; it is found only in tea gardens located at the top of mountains, untouched by erosion.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Conversely, areas shaped by river erosion contain more sand, producing ordinary Japanese tea with little throat feel.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hillside cut showing layers of soil beside a tea field\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/A6EBB7B9-616E-43ED-ABD4-42862ADBB459.png?v=1615373600\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Surroundings of Jubuzan: This area is covered with rich clayey red soil abundant in iron.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Rows of tea plants on a hillside with forested mountains behind\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/FF8EF98F-AA64-4780-8851-1F22184250C1.png?v=1615373624\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Uji tea region: The unique environment of mountains and valleys creates significant temperature differences between day and night, producing high-quality tea.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The following diagram explains why red soil layers are found only at high altitudes. Erosion by the river has washed away the soil from the mountains, leaving the red soil layers in limited areas.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Diagram of soil layers before and after river erosion, with tea garden positions\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/68B5DBE9-4495-411F-A5AA-3CECF68318B7.png?v=1615373695\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Made from Rare Native Varieties of Sencha\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Uji Sencha Jubuzan is made from Zairai tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Zairai are often thought of as indigenous or original species native to Japan, but they are grown from seeds, resulting in diverse shapes, sizes, colors, aromas, and flavors within the same tea garden.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Many high-quality teas in China are made from native varieties, often referred to as mixed varieties. Famous teas like Longjing are made from mixed varieties for high-quality products.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The following video introduces the tea-making of Tsukigase.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uOkkyHNm3sg\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\"\u003e\n\u003c\/iframe\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag)","offer_id":44932456579248,"sku":"g34ja","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (in a bag)","offer_id":44932456612016,"sku":"g34jc","price":2900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932456644784,"sku":"g34jb","price":5400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (100g x 6 bags)","offer_id":44932456677552,"sku":"g34jv","price":14000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/513CB004-8453-4DA7-BD10-39AAA2EA9680.png?v=1737905762"},{"product_id":"b41","title":"Nepal 1st Flush Jun Chiyabari Estate","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    This is the spring tea harvested earliest in the season. It gives a long-lasting aftertaste, with fresh floral flavor and muscatel undertones. The flavor is similar to the Darjeeling First Flush, but its aftertaste is much stronger.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/20813598093_a4bf8204b1_o-1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Plucker with a basket in a misty tea field beside a tree\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6018\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/20813598093_a4bf8204b1_o-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"421\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We purchased interesting black tea from Nepal. The tea garden is located behind the Himalayan range, on the opposite side of Darjeeling.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Two women with baskets on their backs plucking tea leaves\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6026\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/17896760696_cc8e2745ae_o-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"421\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    IMO certified organic tea garden\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Out of many tea gardens in Nepal, we selected Jun Chiyabari tea garden. This garden practices natural farming methods. They use no nitrogen-based fertilizer and no pesticide. I noticed that their material quality is quite ideal. Thanks to the natural farming practice, tea grows very slowly. As a result, it gives a longer-lasting taste and is rich in flavor. Jun Chiyabari garden is also an IMO certified organic tea garden.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Woman in a blue scarf and red top plucking tea leaves\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6024\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/17920971082_89c13239cd_o-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"421\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Maximum 2100m of elevation\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Jun Chiyabari garden is located at 1650 - 2100m. The high mountain climate makes the taste of the tea very rich and soft. At high elevation, the tea garden is exposed to strong sunshine in the daytime, and tea trees effectively carry out photosynthesis, while the temperature drops drastically at night and the consumption activity in the tea tree is very slow. As a result, the tea contains high polyphenol and mineral content, and this is reflected in the intensity of the aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Hillside tea terraces dotted with small houses\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6020\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/21247895400_7cedbd3a3f_o-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"421\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Pluckers with baskets working on a steep tea slope\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6021\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/21249227999_32b1b9f0d9_o-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"421\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Long-lasting flavor and muscatel flavor\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The characteristic of tea from Jun Chiyabari tea garden is the long-lasting aftertaste. Generally, the flavor of their tea lasts longer than most Darjeeling teas. In addition, their autumnal teas emit a delightful muscatel flavor. The muscatel flavor is produced as a result of green flies, which usually appear in large numbers in a tea garden that practices natural farming. Once a tea leaf is attacked by this particular fly, it generates a substance called terpene, which is subsequently transformed into muscatel flavor during fermentation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Generally, the muscatel flavor becomes stronger after the tea is matured for a longer period of time. For further maturation, we suggest keeping the tea with an oxygen absorber. It is essential to remove oxygen for the development of the ideal flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In particular, the flavor of the First Flush tea becomes distinctive when it is further matured. In countries with an equatorial climate like Malaysia, the tea develops a flavor reminiscent of grapes in 3 to 5 years. In our shop in Malaysia, the aged First Flush tea is always more popular than the fresh First Flush.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Terraced tea garden on a hill with distant mountains\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6025\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/17921213532_8bfa366135_o-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"421\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Two women with baskets plucking tea in a misty garden\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6019\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/21247788489_40b1bed831_o-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"421\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Unique selection following our preference\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As a characteristic of Jun Chiyabari garden, their teas are generally baked longer at higher temperatures during the drying process. As a result, a number of their teas give a slight woodsy flavor and baked flavor. Some people may enjoy this characteristic. Nevertheless, I personally prefer tea that gives a refreshing floral or fruity flavor. So, out of many batches of tea, we have carefully selected the particular batch that underwent the least heat treatment, and it has a refreshing floral bouquet that suits our preference.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Women sitting on the floor with trays of tea leaves\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-6022\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/21434480535_a5d2074320_o-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"421\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"20g (small bag)","offer_id":44932455825584,"sku":"b41na","price":1100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"50g (in can)","offer_id":44932455858352,"sku":"b41nc","price":2500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"150g (large bag\/50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932455891120,"sku":"b41nb","price":7100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [50g x 3 bags] x 4 bags)","offer_id":44932455923888,"sku":"b41nv","price":23800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/b41_01-3.jpg?v=1737905754"},{"product_id":"s03","title":"Snow Jasmine ( Bi Tan Pia Xue )","description":"\u003cimg alt=\"Green tea with jasmine flowers on a white dish\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7509\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_4754-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\nThis premium jasmine tea is recommended for jasmine tea lovers and those who want to enjoy high-quality jasmine tea.\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Quality Jasmine Tea Relies on the Quality of the Tea Leaves!\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\nJasmine tea is not made from jasmine flowers or leaves. Typically, base tea is obtained, and jasmine scent is infused into it to make jasmine tea. Therefore, the quality of the base tea leaves is crucial. The biggest challenge in making good jasmine tea is obtaining high-quality tea leaves for base tea.\n\u003cimg alt=\"Tea leaves thickly mixed with fresh white jasmine flowers\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7504\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1745-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\nAll our jasmine teas are made by infusing freshly plucked jasmine flowers on the same day. Lower quality jasmine teas may recycle flowers that have already been used or use flavorings, but the difference in flavor quality is vast.\nIn general, a small amount of magnolia (a type of magnolia) is used in addition to jasmine flowers for scenting Jasmine Pearls (Mo Li Long Zhu). For making Snow Jasmine (Bi Tan Piao Xue), only fresh jasmine flowers are used for scenting without using magnolia.\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Producing Snow Jasmine (Bi Tan Piao Xue) from Mengding Ganlu\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\nSnow Jasmine (Bi Tan Piao Xue) is a representative jasmine tea of Sichuan Province. However, in recent years, it has become difficult to obtain satisfactory quality due to the rising prices.\nMany people wanted Snow Jasmine (Bi Tan Piao Xue), so we needed to improve our sourcing methods to get good tea.\nInstead of approaching Snow Jasmine (Bi Tan Piao Xue) processors, we directly sourced the base green tea, Mengding Ganlu, from the producers and sent it to a jasmine factory in Guangxi Region for scenting with jasmine flowers.\n\u003cimg alt=\"Curled green tea leaves on a white background\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7512\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3886-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\nThe picture above is Mengding Ganlu\n\u003cimg alt=\"A white cup of dry green tea with jasmine flowers\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7510\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_4761-2.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Brewed tea leaves with jasmine flowers floating in a white cup\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7507\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_4765-2.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Brewed green tea leaves and jasmine petals in a white cup\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7506\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_4768.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Perfect for Cold Brew and Desserts\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\nSnow Jasmine (Bi Tan Piao Xue) is very delicious as a cold brew due to its refreshing flavor and deep flavor. Drinking cold-brewed Snow Jasmine (Bi Tan Piao Xue) on a hot summer day feels like the tea is spreading through your body, providing a refreshing sensation.\nTo make delicious cold brew tea, use \"boiled and cooled water\" instead of raw water. Boiling once increases the sweetness and flavor. As a guide, use about 5g of tea leaves for 1-2L of water. Adjust the concentration to your preference, starting with 1L\/5g and diluting if it's too strong. To make cold brew tea, put the tea leaves in water and leave them in the refrigerator for about half a day. Cold brew tea will retain its fresh flavor for about three days in the refrigerator. Remove the tea leaves once the flavor is sufficiently extracted to avoid any bitterness.\n\u003cimg alt=\"A metal scoop in a pile of dry tea leaves mixed with jasmine petals\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7513\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_4734-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Storing Snow Jasmine (Bi Tan Piao Xue)\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\nWe include an oxygen absorber when shipping tea to create an anaerobic state. Therefore, the tea can be stored for 4-5 years or more depending on the environment in an unopened state while maintaining its freshness. Over long-term storage, the tea will not lose freshness but will gradually mature, developing a peach-like flavor. This flavor pairs well with jasmine tea, but if you want to maintain the state of the tea as it was at purchase, store it in the refrigerator. However, if you take the tea out of the refrigerator, the water condensation takes place and tea leaf will oxidize within a few days. Therefore, after taking it out of the refrigerator, let the tea return to room temperature for 24 hours before opening. If stored anaerobically in the refrigerator, jasmine tea can maintain its purchase-time freshness for 20 or even 30 years. However, storing opened tea in the refrigerator will accelerate deterioration, so avoid refrigerating opened tea.","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag)","offer_id":44932450418864,"sku":"s03ca","price":2700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g (in can)","offer_id":44932450451632,"sku":"s03cc","price":4300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (large bag\/50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932450484400,"sku":"s03cb","price":12600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [50g x 3 bags] x 4 bags)","offer_id":44932450517168,"sku":"s03cv","price":41500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_4734-1.jpg?v=1737905681"},{"product_id":"s05","title":"Jasmine Silver Needle","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A pile of slender silvery tea buds on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/6146F91D-6FC1-451F-9C4A-0459EC7382F1.png?v=1615903398\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We have created an authentic Jasmine tea using naturally cultivated white tea from ethnic minorities.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    A Unique Tea in the World\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is made from white tea harvested from old trees located at an altitude of about 2000m in the southwestern part of Yunnan Province, near the Myanmar border, and processed into Jasmine tea in Guangxi Region.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is made from fully naturally cultivated tea. As it grows without fertilizers or pesticides, the yield per tree is about a quarter compared to general tea gardens, and it grows slowly over time, resulting in very small cells and rich polyphenol content, creating a very rich flavor and aroma. This is not because polyphenols themselves create the aroma. Tea rich in polyphenols is tea that has grown slowly, and such tea also contains more terpene glycosides, the precursors of the floral and fruity aroma compounds called terpenes.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Jasmine tea is generally made using green tea as a base.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The reason is that green tea has a gentle aroma, allowing the jasmine scent to stand out when mixed. On the other hand, it is very rare for white tea to be used as a base tea for jasmine tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This is because white tea has a distinctive floral aroma that may overshadow the jasmine scent, and also because white tea from Fujian Province is very expensive, making it uncommon to use as a base for jasmine tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The Gushu Yizhen used as the base for this tea has a strong white tea aroma, but thanks to its deep richness, it harmonizes ideally with the jasmine scent, resulting in a jasmine tea that is unlike any other.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The collaboration of the good qualities of white tea and the sweet jasmine aroma creates a refreshing, sweet scent reminiscent of citrus fruits. The deep richness that spreads not only to the back of the throat but also deep into the chest showcases the quality of naturally cultivated tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    With almost no bitterness and a very sweet aftertaste, it is a tea that both children and jasmine tea lovers and non-lovers alike will enjoy. This tea is also delicious when brewed cold.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The appearance of the tea leaves may not be as beautiful as the Gushu Yizhen used as the base, due to the long scenting process, but once you take a sip, you will be impressed in many ways.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Two women plucking tea leaves beside a woven basket\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/7195D17F-516D-4089-B420-A6E9AAAA7A6E.png?v=1615903449\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The Background of Jasmine Silver Needle\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    One of HOJO's popular products is Gushu Yizhen.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is made from fully naturally cultivated tea and has a deep richness that spreads smoothly in the throat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When I visited the production area in Yunnan Province in April to purchase this tea, the thought crossed my mind, \"It would be great to make jasmine tea using this tea.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Once I started thinking that, I couldn't stop, so I made a quick decision and purchased a large quantity of Gushu Yizhen for jasmine tea processing. The reason for the \"large quantity\" is that there is a minimum amount of tea leaves required to make jasmine tea due to the characteristics of the dryer, and it is not possible to make custom-ordered jasmine tea with too small an amount.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dry silvery tea buds in a white cup\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/B5B30913-E378-4695-8CD1-7D1178F46188.png?v=1615903491\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The tea leaves of Gushu Yizhen before processing\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Pale yellow tea in a white cup\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/C0FC3E09-435A-460B-ADC2-4BC398C305CE.png?v=1615903515\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Traditional Naturally Cultivated Tea by Ethnic Minorities\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Gushu Yizhen is a tea made by ethnic minorities in the western part of Lincang, Yunnan Province, near the Myanmar border.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As emphasized from the beginning, this tea is made from completely fertilizer-free and pesticide-free tea. Although it is called natural cultivation, it is not a special effort, but it is managed in the same way as it was 1000 years ago.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For ethnic minorities in Yunnan Province, the tea trees are originally left in the mountains, and they only mow the grass once or twice a year.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Just like gathering wild vegetable buds in spring, the tea trees grow extremely slowly, resulting in very rich and mineral-rich tea like wild vegetables.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A slender tea tree on a dry grassy hillside\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/6911A4BC-7D1C-49CC-A60C-64C2D1D9691D.png?v=1615903580\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A tea tree with bright new leaves above white wildflowers\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/EE020C6F-55EC-4BD1-AF73-2829009544F4.png?v=1615903594\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Scenting with Fresh Jasmine Flowers for 6 Nights\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Although the tea was purchased in spring, jasmine flowers reach their peak season in August-September, so we decided the timing of the scenting based on the condition and market price of the flowers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The scenting process took 6 nights. The jasmine flowers are harvested in bud form and mixed with the tea leaves in the evening.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    At night, the flowers bloom, and the jasmine scent is absorbed by the tea leaves. In the morning, the flowers are removed, and the tea leaves are dried before being mixed with fresh flowers again. This process is repeated 6 times, or for 6 nights.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A heap of fresh white jasmine flowers\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/58FF6C0F-0B12-48C5-9C3F-7EC062E5EC64.png?v=1615903701\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (in can)","offer_id":44932450320560,"sku":"s05cc","price":2800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (large bag\/50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932450353328,"sku":"s05cb","price":8100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [50g x 3 bags] x 4 bags)","offer_id":44932450386096,"sku":"s05cv","price":27000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/2021-03-2516.38.01.jpg?v=1737905680"},{"product_id":"s01","title":"Jasmine Pearl","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n     Until now, HOJO has been using green tea made from tea leaves from Fujian Province to produce Jasmine Pearls. However, in recent years, the price of tea leaves from Fujian Province has skyrocketed due to the influence of the white tea market, leading to a significant increase in the price of jasmine tea as well.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe wanted to continue supplying high-quality tea at the same price as before, so we decided to explore green tea raw materials suitable for jasmine tea outside Fujian Province.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfter several years of examining green tea from various production areas in China in terms of quality, pesticide use, supply stability, and price, we found excellent raw materials in Yunnan Province.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYunnan Province's tea gardens are located at altitudes above 1500m, and since almost no fertilizer is used, the tea grows slowly, resulting in less bitterness and higher quality tea.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause the base tea quality is high, we used one bud and one leaf (one bud and one leaf) to make Jasmine Pearls (Jasmine Longzhu), instead of just the buds as before, but the result is still smooth and without bitterness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBy using one bud and one leaf instead of just the buds, we were able to reduce costs, allowing us to offer the product at a lower price than before. This is a highly cost-effective and affordable product.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea leaves are selected from March pluckings, which are plucked during a very cold period, so the components accumulated during the winter are concentrated in the new buds.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The fresh flavor of green tea reminiscent of spring and the floral scent of jasmine combine to create a very elegant and rich flavor. Particularly, first-time drinkers will be surprised by the depth of flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The flavor lingers in the throat, and you can feel the deliciousness of the tea throughout from the mouth to the throat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This is the tea we most want you to experience first among HOJO's lineup, and it is also ideal for those new to Chinese tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    A Custom Jasmine Tea with No Compromises in Raw Green Tea, Jasmine Flowers, and Production Methods\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Do you know what determines the quality of jasmine tea? It is often thought that the quality is determined by the jasmine flavor, but this is not the case.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    While the jasmine scent is naturally expected, more important is the quality of the tea leaves used in jasmine tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Some customers misunderstand jasmine tea as \"tea made from jasmine flowers\" or \"tea made from jasmine leaves,\" but proper jasmine tea refers to tea leaves that have absorbed the scent of jasmine flowers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, the quality of the tea leaves used greatly reflects the final quality of jasmine tea. The highest quality jasmine tea is made from tea buds plucked in the spring.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Incidentally, the tea plucking period can be identified by the ratio of white to black parts of the tea leaves. Early-plucked tea has more white parts, and even the darker parts are more silver in color.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We select March-plucked tea leaves. These are plucked during a very cold period, so the components accumulated during the winter are concentrated in the new buds.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The fresh flavor of green tea reminiscent of spring and the floral scent of jasmine combine to create a very elegant and rich flavor. The depth of flavor is particularly noteworthy.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The flavor lingers in the throat, allowing you to enjoy the deliciousness of the tea from the mouth to the throat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We have fundamentally reviewed the quality of the raw tea leaves to create a quality that ordinary Jasmine Pearls cannot match.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Brewing is Easy with a Glass\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    You don't need special tea utensils to drink jasmine tea. Using a long glass, anyone can easily enjoy jasmine tea. Below is a picture of jasmine tea leaves opening in a long glass filled with hot water.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A tall glass on a wooden coaster with dry tea pearls at the bottom\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/5374924B-FB6A-4C2B-8421-593BCC4762CE.png?v=1615904774\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Add a teaspoon of tea leaves. There's no need to be greedy and add a lot.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A tall glass just filled with hot water, bubbles around the tea pearls\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/956F43E7-DB38-4180-8964-43381E3CF89B.png?v=1615904796\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Let the boiled water cool a bit and gently pour it into the glass at 80-85℃.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea pearls starting to open in a tall glass of water\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/5BC2B78E-F174-4ADC-8BF2-BBA2F57F0F5B.png?v=1615904811\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The tea leaves will start to open immediately. It is said that the higher the quality, the faster they open.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Opened green tea leaves resting at the bottom of a glass\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/58E6A64A-6241-4AD9-BF1B-A089587DFFCD.png?v=1615904834\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e You may feel inclined to shake the glass, but to get a delicate taste, please leave it undisturbed.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Opened yellow-green tea leaves at the bottom of a clear glass\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/FCD3BB3A-E78E-4022-A730-B5CD195ED8D2.png?v=1615904855\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e After 3 minutes, the hairs on the tea leaves will detach and float in the water. Gently swirl to even out the concentration.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Fully opened tea leaves and pale yellow tea in a glass\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/A793204A-F42F-4641-8F03-504EDDB1D748.png?v=1615904872\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e After finishing your tea, add more hot water. You can brew it 5-6 times.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The Deliciousness of Cold Brew\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    HOJO's jasmine tea is made from green tea made only from soft buds harvested right after winter. This tea, traditionally used for white tea, is surprisingly delicious when cold brewed, astonishing even your family!\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    Making it is very simple!\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003ePrepare about 1000ml of water for 5g (example). Using boiled water that has cooled will improve the flavor and taste.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eDo not use a teapot. Put the tea leaves and water in a plastic or glass container, such as a PET bottle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003ePlace the container in the refrigerator for several hours or more.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eIt is ready to drink when the tea leaves have fully opened.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The advantage of cold brew is its very mellow taste and sweet aftertaste, and it is safe to store in the refrigerator for 1-2 days without any issues.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    If you make too much, you can freeze it into ice cubes.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Two glass teapots, one with dry tea pearls and one with opened leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/D5B0A28A-747E-47CE-88CE-30BE6E46705F.png?v=1615905045\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    What Differentiates Our Product from Others? - Detailed Explanation of the Differences in Tea Leaves\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \"Oh! I know this tea!\" they say.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Many people think that all jasmine tea in a pearl shape is the same type.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, did you know that the spherical jasmine tea \"Jasmine Pearl\" is produced by hundreds or thousands of different producers in China, Taiwan, and India? Each company produces similar-shaped jasmine tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In fact, even if the shape is the same, there are significant differences in quality and price. The purpose of shaping the tea into spheres is to make it easier to mix with jasmine flowers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, the mixing method, the type of jasmine used, the type of tea leaves, the tea leaf processing method, and many other factors greatly influence the quality. The most important factor affecting quality is the quality of the green tea used.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Green tea begins to be harvested in March, followed by April, May, June, and even autumn pickings that circulate in the market.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    At HOJO, we use March-plucked green tea, and by seeking green tea produced with minimal use of fertilizers, we emphasize the richness of the aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Rolled tea pearls pouring onto a wire sieve\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/D0075DA9-051C-4813-BBA8-E613AD5A6BCC.png?v=1615905316\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cbr\u003e Before being shipped, the jasmine tea is sieved and visually inspected in Japan.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The History and Culture of Jasmine Pearl - Why Chinese Quality is the Best\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Jasmine flowers originate from Iran. It is said that jasmine flowers were brought to China via the Silk Road during the Tang Dynasty, and it has been 1,700 years since jasmine entered China.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Initially, jasmine flowers were used solely for decoration. The practice of using jasmine flowers for tea began in Guangdong Province around the Southern Song period (1240).\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    During the Ming Dynasty, the technology to infuse tea leaves with jasmine aroma dramatically improved, establishing methods for selecting raw materials, blending recipes, and drying methods, creating a manualized process.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Large-scale industrial production began in Fuzhou during the Qing Dynasty. By 1900, the production of jasmine tea in Fuzhou reached 1,500 tons.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    At its peak (1928-1938), the total production of jasmine tea reached 7,500 tons. By the end of the 19th century, foreign trading companies had established offices in Fuzhou, making jasmine tea an important trade item with foreign countries.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hand pouring tea from a white lidded cup into a blue patterned vessel\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/A347B9A1-FD3B-47BA-9247-F2E529EDAE5A.png?v=1615905428\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As its popularity increased, the production of jasmine tea expanded from the south to the north and east (Zhejiang, Sichuan, Hunan, Guangxi, Yunnan).\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, jasmine cannot grow in cold environments, and in colder regions, the flowers had to be moved indoors with heating.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Due to the high costs of managing this, northern production companies found it unprofitable and were eliminated. Jasmine's aroma also attracted the attention of Taiwanese tea traders.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In 1873, tea leaves were exported from Taiwan to Fuzhou for commissioned processing to add jasmine aroma. By 1882, Taiwanese traders had brought jasmine seeds back and began cultivation in Taiwan.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    By 1939, the production of jasmine tea in Taiwan had reached 1,300 tons per year. However, due to Taiwan's unique climate, the aroma of jasmine flowers was inferior compared to those from China.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since 1980, the Guangxi government has made great efforts to expand jasmine tea production. At the same time, Guangxi was recognized as the production area for jasmine flowers by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Due to these series of reforms, Guangxi's jasmine gardens are now the largest and known for producing high-quality jasmine.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The Importance of the Encounter Between Excellent Tea Leaves and Flowers for the Best Jasmine Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A heap of white jasmine flowers\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/1005BF6E-9940-41DC-AB50-99F3077253C0.png?v=1615905470\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Jasmine Flowers\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Jasmine buds on a stem among green leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/E3FA8C7F-3C05-4C79-9011-AAF99BC2636C.png?v=1615905491\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Jasmine Flowers\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Jasmine naturally prefers tropical climates and requires temperatures above 20°C. So far, it has been proven that Guangxi's jasmine cultivation areas are most suitable for growth.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This region is located in a subtropical monsoon climate. Thanks to this climate, jasmine can easily overwinter, with no concerns about freezing or frost.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    During the flowering period, the atmospheric temperature should ideally be above 25°C. The jasmine gardens are located on the slopes of hilly areas.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This location provides good drainage and ample sunlight for jasmine. Additionally, the land is very fertile, producing large, fragrant flowers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Due to this quality advantage, it is said that the same level of aroma can be achieved with 70% of the quantity of other flowers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Tea Leaves\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Until around 2010, the main tea leaves used for jasmine tea production were the Fuding Dabai variety from Fujian Province.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, due to the white tea boom in Fujian Province, the price of white tea soared, and many green tea farmers producing jasmine tea switched to white tea production.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    While some farmers still produce green tea for jasmine tea, the prices have risen significantly, drawing attention to green tea from Yunnan Province in recent years.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    At HOJO, we use green tea from Yunnan Province for Jasmine Pearl and blend buds from Yunnan and Fuding to create the ideal flavor for Jasmine Pearl Special.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Rolled tea pearls scattered on a gray surface\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/67C25A5B-A826-40A8-8A9D-043018516748.png?v=1615905564\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Jasmine Flowers\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A jasmine field with white flowers under a blue sky\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/A802C54E-2340-4DC2-9642-CBE3F4AD1E3D.png?v=1615905623\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Jasmine Flower Fields\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Jasmine flowers can be broadly divided into three groups.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eSingle-Petal Jasmine\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eDouble-Petal Jasmine\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eMulti-Petal Jasmine\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    ① Single-Petal Jasmine\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Before 1963, this type of jasmine was mainly cultivated for jasmine tea processing. Compared to Double-Petal Jasmine (8-9 am), this type blooms earlier (6-7 am). Its production is very low, and the yield per unit area is about half of that of Double-Petal Jasmine. Additionally, it is very susceptible to disease and has low environmental adaptability, so it is rarely cultivated in recent years.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    ② Double-Petal Jasmine\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Due to its high production, strong environmental adaptability, simultaneous blooming, and strong aroma, it is suitable for jasmine tea production.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    ③ Multi-Petal Jasmine\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After plucking, the flowers bloom from 7 to 8 am. However, because the blooming is not uniform and occurs gradually and randomly, it is not suitable for jasmine tea processing due to its weak aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The harvesting period of flowers is not fixed due to differences in climate and growth conditions in various regions. Generally, it is divided into four main seasons.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eSpring Flowers: Generally from May to June, producing 15% of the annual yield.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eSummer Flowers: Generally in July, producing 30% of the annual yield.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003e伏花 (Summer End Flowers): Generally in August, producing 30% of the annual yield.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eAutumn Flowers: Generally from September to October, producing 25% of the annual yield.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A person in a conical hat plucking flowers in a jasmine field\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/A16B5FFC-EEF4-4DB4-BED3-89487576FB66.png?v=1615905717\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Jasmine flowers spread over tea pearls\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/1C0BB25B-3086-4B5B-A494-C0D15EA61F74.png?v=1615905691\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    During spring, the yield is low, and the quality is inferior due to low environmental temperatures and lack of accumulated nutrients in the plants. Flowers harvested in early spring and late autumn are small and yellowish.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    They are not suitable for jasmine tea processing because they rarely bloom. The most suitable flowers for jasmine tea processing are those harvested in summer and late summer.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    High temperatures, sufficient sunlight, and rain during these periods create more flowers, larger sizes, and better quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When harvesting, it is crucial to ensure that the plucked flowers bloom at night. Therefore, the flowers are carefully selected for jasmine tea processing. The criteria for flower plucking are as follows.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eThe petals are intact and white, with long stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eGreen-petaled flowers do not bloom, so they are not plucked.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eFlowers that have already bloomed lose most of their fragrance, so they are not plucked.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Processing - All Made by Hand\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Jasmine Pearl is made through an extremely complex hand-crafted process. The green tea is processed in early spring and then stored until the jasmine season (summer). During the scenting process, excessive care is taken to ensure the best aroma is absorbed into the tea leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    Processing Green Tea for Jasmine Tea\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Why are high-quality jasmine teas spherical? All high-quality jasmine teas are in pearl form.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Do you know the reason for this shape? It is actually to facilitate smooth mixing and distribution with jasmine flowers by processing the tea leaves into spheres to match the shape and size of jasmine buds.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The spherical tea leaves and jasmine buds mix well together.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The production of Jasmine Pearl involves the following steps.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eIndoor Withering\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003ePan Frying: Enzyme Deactivation\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eFirst Drying\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eRolling\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eSecond Drying\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eGrading\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eRe-firing\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eCooling\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Below are the details of each process.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    Indoor Withering\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After plucking, the tea leaves are carefully spread in a thin layer. Damaged leaves turn brown or black, affecting the final product's quality. The withering process continues until the tea leaves' moisture content reaches 70%. Withering reduces the grassy aroma, bitterness, and astringency, increasing the proportion of amino acids, resulting in a stronger sweetness.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    Pan Frying: Enzyme Deactivation\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea leaves are rapidly heated by passing through a drum heated to 260°C, deactivating the enzyme (polyphenol oxidase).\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    At the same time, high-temperature processing helps to remove the grassy aroma. Heating makes the tea leaves softer, making them suitable for the subsequent rolling process.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    First Drying\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea leaves are dried in a drying machine until their moisture content reaches 30%.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    Rolling\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After drying, the tea leaves are cooled and then moved to the rolling process, which is done entirely by hand. The characteristic pearl shape is made to increase the surface area, making it easier to absorb the jasmine aroma. Because it is all done by hand, even skilled craftsmen can only produce 2kg of the product per day.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    Second Drying\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The rolled tea leaves are dried again in a drying machine. Initially, the temperature is set high at 110-120°C, then adjusted to a lower temperature of 95-105°C. After drying, the product contains 7% moisture. The dried tea leaves are stored in a warehouse until the jasmine season. During storage, they are kept in vacuum containers in a shaded, cool place to maintain the moisture level below 9%. The tea leaves are pre-treated before the scenting process.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    Grading\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea leaf pearls are sieved and graded by size, while fragments and uneven leaves are removed.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    Re-firing\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea leaves are dried again in a drying machine. The temperature is kept low (100-110°C) to avoid giving the tea leaves a burnt smell. Drying evaporates the moisture absorbed during storage and volatilizes any attached aromas. The final product's moisture content is below 5%.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    Cooling\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The dried tea leaves are cooled to 60-80°C. The tea leaves are spread in a thin layer and cooled to a temperature 1-3°C higher than room temperature. If the tea leaves are not sufficiently cooled, it affects the subsequent scenting process. Jasmine flowers are very sensitive to changes in ambient temperature, and low temperatures are necessary for blooming.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea pearls opening in a glass as hot water is poured in\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/D59BFD25-326B-4433-85ED-C93EB152B84A.png?v=1615905842\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman pouring hot water from a kettle into two glasses with tea pearls\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/942300DA-FE1B-405C-ACFD-CCDF91D0FA92.png?v=1615905812\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Two glasses of yellow-green tea with opened leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/A1E436F8-F5CB-4617-BBA6-AA3A1F4C8A00.png?v=1615905867\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Preparing Flowers for Jasmine Tea Production - Strict Quality Control Like a Florist!\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Freshly plucked jasmine flowers are managed based on the following criteria.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    Cooling\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    During transportation to the factory, the flowers continue to breathe, gradually increasing the temperature to 38°C. This temperature rise affects blooming in later stages, so the flowers are spread in a thin layer of less than 10cm. If the flowers are harvested after rain, they are spread in an even thinner layer, and an air blower is used to volatilize the moisture.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    Fresh Flower Care\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This process strictly controls the temperature of the piled flowers. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that the flowers bloom when needed. Jasmine flowers are very sensitive to temperature changes. To bloom as scheduled, the flower temperature must be maintained at 32-37°C. If the temperature of the piled flowers falls below 30°C, the thickness is increased to raise the temperature, and if it exceeds 38°C, the layer is thinned to lower the temperature.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    Sieving\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When about 60% of the flowers have bloomed, they are sieved. The purpose of sieving is to grade the flowers by size and to remove green buds and stems. Only flowers of uniform size are collected and used. This is important to ensure they bloom at the same time.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A thick layer of small jasmine flowers over tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/B2FFCD95-F248-429D-BA6A-A098D1DEFC4E.png?v=1615905978\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Jasmine buds piled on a white plate\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/8697A9F9-C1DC-4378-AE2B-5EDABE31A3AC.png?v=1615905994\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Mixing Tea Leaves and Jasmine Flowers - First-Class Care\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This is a very important process that greatly affects the quality of the final product. Here are the five important factors.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    1) Tea Leaves and Flowers Mixing Ratio\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The amount of flowers used depends on the grade of the final product. Higher-quality products require more flowers. To make 100kg of the highest grade jasmine tea, 100kg of flowers are needed. The 100kg of flowers are used in four rounds: 1) first scenting: 38kg, 2) second scenting: 30kg, 3) third scenting: 26kg, and 4) fourth scenting: 6kg. For first-grade products, the final scenting is not performed. For lower-grade jasmine tea, the tea leaves are scented with used flowers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    2) Blooming Ratio\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When more than 80% of the flowers have bloomed, the tea leaves and flowers are mixed. If mixed before sufficient blooming, the flowers will be crushed by the weight of the tea leaves and will not bloom further. Also, larger, fully bloomed flowers have a larger surface area, making scenting more efficient.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    3) Moisture Content\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    During scenting, the moisture content of the tea leaves is maintained at 4-4.5%. After scenting, the moisture content of the tea leaves increases significantly. However, it is necessary to manage it so that the moisture content does not exceed 18%. If the moisture content exceeds 18%, the flowers begin to deteriorate, producing an unpleasant odor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    4) Thickness of Piled Flowers and Tea Leaves\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The purpose of adjusting the thickness is to manage the temperature of the tea leaves and flowers. Generally, a thickness of 30-40cm is used, but the thickness is adjusted as needed based on various external factors.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    5) Mixing Tea Leaves and Flowers\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The process must be done quickly. The longer it takes, the more the flower aroma dissipates.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Jasmine flowers spread over tea pearls\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/1C0BB25B-3086-4B5B-A494-C0D15EA61F74_3566da54-10e1-4583-96ca-3748e3b29431.png?v=1615906045\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mixing Jasmine Flowers and Tea Leaves\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The mixing process is carried out entirely by hand. First, the tea leaves and flowers are divided into 3-5 groups. The first group is spread in a layer of 10-15cm.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    On top of that, the flowers of the first group are piled. Similarly, each layer alternates between tea leaves and flowers. Finally, a rake is used to mix. The mixture of flowers and tea leaves is then left undisturbed for 5-6 hours.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    通花 (Ventilation)\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ventilation is carried out for three main reasons:\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eTo lower the temperature.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eTo provide air to the flowers, promoting continuous blooming.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eTo release carbon dioxide.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Craftsmen use a rake to spread the mixture of tea leaves and flowers to a thickness of 10-15cm. This process is repeated every 15 minutes and continues for an hour. After that, the thickness of the layers of tea leaves and flowers is adjusted according to the temperature changes.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In total, the scenting process takes 10-12 hours. If the temperature drops, the aroma is not fully absorbed, and if it rises too much, the flowers turn yellow and impart a spoiled smell to the tea, so temperature control is a very important factor in determining the quality of jasmine tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    起花 (Flower Separation) - Separating Flowers and Tea Leaves\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Once scenting is complete, the old flowers are removed. If the timing of removal is delayed, the flowers deteriorate and transfer an unpleasant odor to the tea leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Jasmine flowers mixed with dark tea pearls, some petals browning\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/9FEA5AC7-4F1F-4176-82EC-C904C43112D7.png?v=1615906099\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Jasmine Flowers Fully Bloomed Overnight\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Jasmine flowers spread over a perforated metal tray\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/62754C6C-617F-4587-A6F3-FB086560A056.png?v=1615906113\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Once the flowers open, they become larger than the tea leaves (pearls) and can be easily removed by sieving.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    烘焙 (Hong-bei) - Drying\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The scented tea leaves are dried in a drying machine. The drying conditions vary depending on the number of scenting rounds.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eFirst Scenting - 110-120°C, Moisture Content 5.0-5.5%\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eSecond Scenting - 100-110°C, Moisture Content 5.5-6.0%\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eThird Scenting - 90-100°C, Moisture Content 6.0-6.5%\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After drying, the tea leaves must be cooled to below 40°C. Once cooled, the tea leaves proceed to the next round of scenting.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    提花 (Ti-hua) - Final Scenting\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This process adds a very fresh flower aroma to the jasmine tea. The purpose of the final scenting is to enhance the jasmine aroma and impart the fresh scent of raw flowers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The highest quality jasmine flowers (large petals, white color, strong aroma) are used for this process. To preserve the natural flower aroma, the tea leaves are not dried after the final scenting.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Before the final scenting, the moisture content of the tea leaves is analyzed, and the amount of flowers to be used is calculated to ensure the final product's moisture content is below 8.5%.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A navy HOJO tea tin beside a lidded cup and tea tools\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/96AB11C7-99B0-40B5-B3DF-3482FA0DE1F2.png?v=1615906182\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Comments\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A woman tipping tea pearls from a small dish into a lidded cup\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/5AF38A32-E738-4806-99C5-B23820B5D03D.png?v=1615906243\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag)","offer_id":44932450189488,"sku":"s01ca","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932450222256,"sku":"s01cc","price":3800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932450255024,"sku":"s01cb","price":7200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932450287792,"sku":"s01cv","price":18100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/jasmine-pearl.jpg?v=1737905677"},{"product_id":"f08","title":"Rose Damascena ( Damascus Rose)","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n     Brewed Multiple Times\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Damascus Rose is a popular floral tea among women due to its sweet, honey-like flavor and refreshing taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We always select the batch made from the first-plucked roses of the spring season, which gives it a very deep and clear aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It has a completely different dimension of flavor compared to ordinary roses, with a sweet honey fragrance that emanates both externally and internally.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea can be steeped multiple times, up to 20 infusions. Even after half a day or a day later, its flavor hardly deteriorates.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It also pairs well with other teas, such as black tea. Adding 2 to 3 roses to black tea significantly enhances the sweet honey flavor, making it as fragrant as high-quality black tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Purple rosebuds with green sepals\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/AC207C97-6D68-480F-8AC8-86DB876210DF.png?v=1615908856\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Rosebuds heaped in a metal bowl\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/A70CFF0B-3896-4372-BE17-74B29A71BCCA.png?v=1615908946\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Close-up of purple rosebuds packed together\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/3C23D8BB-EFC9-4CF2-86CA-DAC783CD19FF.png?v=1615909031\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Many people have experienced drinking rose tea before.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When I first tried rose tea, I thought it smelled like cinnamon, pickles, or spices, and I instantly disliked it.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Because of this bitter experience, I avoided rose tea until I encountered Damascus Rose.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    My first encounter was at a department store perfume section. I happened to need perfume and came across a sample of Damascus Rose essential oil.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The sample was intended to help customers understand that a particular brand of perfume generously used Damascus Rose.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When I smelled it, I was shocked and truly impressed.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It had a completely different aroma from the roses I knew. It was incredibly sweet, like honey.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Damascus Rose Rose Damascena has a distinctly different aroma compared to ordinary roses. The experience with Damascus Rose was so intense that I wanted to sell it as rose tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    I searched various regions for the raw materials. Damascus Rose is mainly cultivated in Bulgaria, Turkey, and Iran.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, most of it is used for extracting essential oils and does not circulate as tea. Essential oils are sold for tens of thousands of yen for just a few grams, so producers grow Damascus Rose for the high profit from perfume.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    I sought out roses grown in the Gobi Desert in China's Xinjiang Region.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In this region, ethnic minorities cultivate roses organically, and the produced Damascus Rose circulates as rose tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Grown in desert areas with significant temperature differences between day and night, high-quality roses are produced.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To drink, it is common to brew Damascus Rose tea directly by pouring hot water. Usually, a few roses in a 200ml teapot are sufficient.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Rosebuds floating in pale green tea in a white cup\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/269E06CD-ED8B-4583-A6F7-472F7EA54634.png?v=1615909105\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Enjoying Damascus Rose\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Damascus Rose can be brewed multiple times, up to 20 infusions.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Even if you stop brewing and resume half a day or a day later, the flavor hardly deteriorates. It is recommended to place the teapot in the refrigerator when leaving it for a while.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    My recommended way to enjoy delicious rose tea is to blend it with other teas.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    My favorite method is to combine 2 to 3 Damascus Roses with green tea or white tea. The sweet flavor of Damascus Rose and the flavor of green tea complement each other incredibly well.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dry green tea leaves with rosebuds, and a glass of the brewed tea\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/5F0B1B7E-54EF-455D-8EAD-EB1F2A7A76A7.png?v=1615909168\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Damascus Rose also pairs very well with black tea. Adding just 2 to 3 roses to black tea significantly enhances the sweet honey flavor, making it as fragrant as high-quality black tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The key is not to add too many roses, but to adjust so that the fragrance is faintly present in the background.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    My favorite way to drink it is to combine Pu-erh raw tea with Damascus Rose.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The rich taste of Pu-erh raw tea and the elegant flavor of roses create an excellent combination. Damascus Rose can be brewed many more times than black tea or green tea, so it is also an option to place the roses in a fair cup rather than directly in the teapot.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Rosebuds floating in yellow-green tea in a glass pitcher\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/D0729FDE-CD2A-4095-A1FF-1CA25F211A42.png?v=1615909209\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag)","offer_id":44932450058416,"sku":"f08ca","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g (in can)","offer_id":44932450091184,"sku":"f08cc","price":2400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (large bag\/50g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932450123952,"sku":"f08cb","price":4400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [50g x 2 bags] x 6 bags)","offer_id":44932450156720,"sku":"f08cv","price":22800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/AC207C97-6D68-480F-8AC8-86DB876210DF.png?v=1737905676"},{"product_id":"o89","title":"Huang Jin Gui","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n    \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHuang Jin Gui is a tea with a very distinctive floral flavor. This tea is very popular in Anxi alongside Tie Guan Yin.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n    Anxi, One of the Three Major Production Areas of Chinese Oolong Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n    Anxi in Fujian Province is known as the homeland of Taiwanese tea and is one of the three major oolong tea production areas in China, along with Wuyishan and Chaozhou for Phoenix oolong.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n    Anxi has high-altitude tea-producing areas, and the entire region consists of red soil, which is rich in iron, contributing to the strong aftertaste of the tea. As a result, even with moderate fertilization, the tea produced in Anxi has a distinctly rich taste compared to other regions. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHistorical records of tea show that Anxi's oolong tea technology had already developed significantly by the 1600s. It is said that tea masters from Anxi brought oolong tea-making techniques to the famous Wuyishan. As evidence, a certain number of people in Wuyishan speak Minnan dialect, which is the dialect of Anxi.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Terraced tea fields on a hillside under mist\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8595\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7652-2.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7652-2.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Terraced tea fields rising up a hillside beside a paved path\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8596\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7654-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7654-1.jpg\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n    Huang Jin Gui: Popular for Its Brilliant Flavor, Second Only to Tie Guan Yin\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n    Anxi has many distinctive tea varieties. The most famous is Tie Guan Yin, but Huang Jin Gui, with its unique flavor, is arguably the second most popular tea in Anxi.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n    The name Huang Jin Gui is not a variety name. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHuang Jin Gui is made from a variety called Huang Dan. Generally, oolong tea made from Huang Dan is called Huang Jin Gui. The name Huang Jin Gui is not specific to a particular processing method; oolong tea made from Huang Dan is called Huang Jin Gui regardless of whether it is lightly fermented, medium roasted, or heavily roasted. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe name Huang Jin Gui means \"golden osmanthus.\" It is named for its golden infusion color and the sweet, floral flavor reminiscent of osmanthus flowers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Rolled oolong tea leaves in a small white dish\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8593\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7615-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7615-1.jpg\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Opened oolong tea leaves after steeping in a white bowl\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8591\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7620-1.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7620-1.jpg\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n    Bright and Milky Flavor\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n    The tea is made similarly to Tie Guan Yin, harvested at a mature stage and the poly phenol enzyme fully fermented. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis product is lightly roasted to enhance its sweet flavor, making the sweetness noticeable when sipped. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIt has a floral and slightly milky fragrance, with a faint toastiness. It pairs very well with meals and complements a wide variety of cuisines, including Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAs it is a highly fermented tea, it is not recommended for cold brewing. However, brewing it strong and then diluting it with cold water to make iced tea is very enjoyable in hot weather.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A cup of golden oolong tea beside a bowl of steeped leaves\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8590\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7619-2.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7619-2.jpg\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n    In terms of quality, it has a pleasantly long aftertaste, a solid body, and a rounded, rich flavor. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe concept behind sourcing this tea was to offer a delicious oolong tea suitable for everyday drinking. Therefore, we have chosen this tea with a balance of price and quality in mind.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag)","offer_id":44932439900336,"sku":"o89ca","price":1400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"80g (in can)","offer_id":44932439933104,"sku":"o89cc","price":3600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"240g (large bag\/80g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932439965872,"sku":"o89cb","price":10300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"720g value pack (large bag [80g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932439998640,"sku":"o89cv","price":25700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_7615.jpg?v=1737905544"},{"product_id":"b61","title":"Lapsang Souchong Hua Xiang","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Pile of dark twisted dried tea leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8795.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is different from the commonly known smoky Lapsang Souchong and has a fruity and floral flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This product is sourced from pesticide-free tea gardens.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Lapsang Souchong with a Sweet Flavor of Tropical Fruits and No Smoky Flavor\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Lapsang Souchong is well known among tea enthusiasts as the world's oldest black tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Traditionally, Lapsang Souchong is dried using pine wood, giving it a distinctive smoky flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    On the other hand, there is a high-grade version of Lapsang Souchong with fruity and floral flavors. Our Lapsang Souchong Qi Zhong, Xiao Chi Gan, Fei Zi Xiao, and Hua Xiang fall into this category.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Orange tea in a white pitcher beside a dish of leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8803.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Some consider this fruity and floral style of Lapsang Souchong a more recent development.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, others believe that this style has existed for a long time but was interrupted by the Cultural Revolution. Although the exact details are unclear, historical evidence suggests that the fruity style has a long history.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    For example, Earl Grey was created by imitating Lapsang Souchong in the 1800s. If the Lapsang Souchong of that time had a smoky flavor, Earl Grey would not be as it is today.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Similarly, Keemun black tea was created in the 1800s by imitating the Lapsang Souchong production method, yet it has no smoky flavor — further supporting the idea that fruity, floral Lapsang Souchong has long existed.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Black Tea Made from Seed-Grown Tea at High Altitudes\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Lapsang Souchong Hua Xiang, like Qi Zhong, is made from naturally cultivated seed-grown tea from Tong Mu Guan. Seed-grown tea refers to tea grown from seeds. Compared to cutting-grown tea, seed-grown tea develops a deep root system, allowing for better mineral absorption and producing a richer aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Seed-grown tea plant with a long taproot beside a cutting-grown plant\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/R1043794-1.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The plant on the right in the photo above is seed-grown tea, characterized by its long, straight taproot.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea garden is located at an altitude of 1100m, under almost the same conditions as the Qi Zhong we carry. However, Lapsang Souchong Hua Xiang has a slightly shorter fermentation time. Like Qi Zhong, the finished tea is roasted at a low temperature over a long period with charcoal, allowing it to mature and develop a floral flavor reminiscent of rose, along with fruity notes of peach, mango, and longan, and a hint of sweet potato.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Clear orange tea in a white cup\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8812-2.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"20g (small bag)","offer_id":44932438982832,"sku":"b61ca","price":2300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g (in can)","offer_id":44932439015600,"sku":"b61cc","price":5400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (large bag\/50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932439048368,"sku":"b61cb","price":15900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [50g x 3 bags] x 4 bags)","offer_id":44932439081136,"sku":"b61cv","price":51800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_8795-2.jpg?v=1737905534"},{"product_id":"w25","title":"Ancient White Tea ( Gushu Bai Cha )","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Green and silvery tea leaves in a metal scoop\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7600\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4846-1.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ancient White Tea (Gushu Baicha) is made from tea leaves plucked from old trees, using one bud and two to three leaves. It is a luxurious white tea that combines a floral flavor with a long, lingering aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Metal bowl filled with tea leaves covered in fine white down\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7603\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4771-1.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Tea from High-Altitude Old Trees\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ancient White Tea is made from tea grown in sustainable, naturally cultivated gardens at an altitude of 2100–2200 meters in Zhenkang County, Lincang City. The tea leaves are sourced from a garden owned by a friend and fellow tea producer with whom we collaborate. Due to the high altitude, old tree age, and natural cultivation, the tea grows very slowly, and the first flush is not harvested until April. Slowly grown tea is rich in minerals and polyphenols, resulting in a deep aftertaste and a long finish.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea trees and grass in a garden with mountains behind\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7591\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3629.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Refreshing Citrus Flavor\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To bring out the best characteristics of Ancient White Tea, we pluck using one bud and 2–3 leaves rather than one bud and one leaf. Baihao Yinzhen (Silver Needle), made from a single bud, and Bai Mudan (White Peony), made from one bud and one leaf, both have a creamy texture due to their high amino acid content. In contrast, one bud and 2–3 leaves contain more polyphenols, resulting in a cleaner taste and a more pronounced floral flavor. Ancient White Tea has a refreshing citrus character and a clear, transparent taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dry green and silvery tea leaves in a white bowl\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7602\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4870-2.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Hand holding a spoon in a white bowl of pale yellow tea\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7595\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4877.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Green and silvery tea leaves on a white dish\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7594\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4871.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Enhanced Flavor with Aging\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Teas with high polyphenol content are well suited for aging. In the case of white tea in particular, aging in an oxygen-free environment further enhances its flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Pile of green and silvery tea leaves on a dark surface\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7597\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4851.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Non-Heat Processing of White Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    White tea is made without applying any heat, which preserves the enzymes in the tea leaves. After plucking, the leaves are spread on mats in a well-ventilated indoor space to slowly release moisture through withering. This dehydration stress activates the leaf enzymes, triggering a gentle fermentation. Unlike oolong and black tea, where heat is applied after withering to halt fermentation, white tea is continuously withered and simultaneously dried until fully dry.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Man spreading tea leaves by hand on a bamboo mat\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7593\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3944.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Bamboo tray filled with dry tea leaves covered in fine white down\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7592\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3985.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Ideal for Cold Brew Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is also excellent when cold brewed. As a guide, 5g of tea leaves can yield about 2 liters of cold brew. Simply soak the leaves in water and refrigerate for about half a day. Be sure to remove the leaves after brewing. Using water that has been boiled and cooled will further enhance the flavor and aroma. Stored in the refrigerator, it stays fresh for several days. Children love it too, so it is well worth trying.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (in a bag)","offer_id":43880369848496,"sku":"w25cc","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932438524080,"sku":"w25cb","price":5400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (50g x 12 bags)","offer_id":44932438556848,"sku":"w25cv","price":18700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_8415.jpg?v=1737905528"},{"product_id":"o102","title":"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Gong Xiang 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is sourced from Qixing'an Village (七星案村) at an altitude of approximately 900m. \n    Gong Xiang (貢香) is known for its exceptionally strong fragrance among various Phoenix Dan Cong varieties.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align:center;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A heap of dark, twisted dry oolong leaves on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_8692.jpg?v=1737905518\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The name \"Gong Xiang\" conveys the idea of a tea that stands out with its bright and prominent flavor. \n    Upon sipping, it releases a strong top note that flows from the mouth to the nose, followed by a long-lasting lingering fragrance.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Through a low-temperature charcoal roasting process, this tea achieves a refreshing Qing Xiang (清香) aroma. \n    It carries berry-like fragrances reminiscent of raspberry, cherry, mulberry, and strawberry, \n    combined with the fresh floral scent of ginger blossoms.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Being an \"Lao Cong\" (老欉) tea harvested from old trees, this is a premium-grade tea. \n    It commands a higher price but offers exceptional flavor and aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    What is Lao Cong in Phoenix Dan Cong?\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In the context of Phoenix Dan Cong, Lao Cong refers to tea made from older tea trees. However, there is no strict definition of what qualifies as \n    Lao Cong, as the age criteria vary by cultivar and producer. Generally, older trees grow more slowly than younger ones, resulting in a longer-lasting \n    aftertaste and deeper complexity, making Lao Cong teas some of the most sought-after and high-end selections in Phoenix Dan Cong.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align:center;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea trees beside a path in a misty tea garden\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4014.jpg\" width=\"680\" height=\"453\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hojo-phoenix-common\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe frequently visit Fenghuang Town in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, to source high-quality Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong tea directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7967.jpg\" alt=\"An old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7986.jpg\" alt=\"Tea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong Dan Cong teas, tea harvested from especially old trees is called \"Lao Cong.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e\na:hover {\n    background-color: #333; \/* Invert background color on hover *\/\n    color: #f0f0e0; \/* Invert text color on hover *\/\n    box-shadow: 0 12px 16px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3); \/* Add depth with a stronger shadow *\/\n    transform: translateY(-5px); \/* Slightly lift on hover *\/\n    text-decoration: none;\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":44932437803184,"sku":"o102ca","price":2500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":44932437835952,"sku":"o102cc","price":6300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932437868720,"sku":"o102cb","price":18400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"360g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932437901488,"sku":"o102cv","price":45000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_8692.jpg?v=1737905518"},{"product_id":"o112","title":"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Gui Hua Xiang Single Tree 2022","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"text-align:center;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A heap of dark, twisted dry oolong leaves on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/o112c_001.jpg?v=1737905511\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Phoenix Dan Cong Lao Cong Gui Hua Xiang Danzhu (桂花香單株) is harvested from a 250-year-old single tree in Touya Village (頭埡村), situated at an altitude of 1000m.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \"Gui Hua Xiang\" (桂花香) refers to the fragrance of osmanthus flowers. Osmanthus-scented oolong teas are highly popular, with both China and Taiwan producing teas known as Gui Hua Oolong. However, these teas are typically infused with osmanthus aroma rather than naturally possessing it.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align:center;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dark dry tea leaves piled in a stainless steel bowl\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/o112c_002.jpg?v=1737905512\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In reality, many Phoenix Dan Cong teas labeled as Gui Hua Xiang have been artificially scented. Teas with added fragrance exhibit an intense osmanthus scent in their dry leaves. During sourcing trips in the region, artificially scented versions of Gui Hua Xiang are frequently encountered.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align:center;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A tea tree with fresh green leaves growing on a slope\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/o112_002.jpg?v=1737905512\" width=\"630\" height=\"473\"\u003e\n    \u003cfigcaption\u003e\n        The single tea tree of Phoenix Dan Cong Lao Cong Gui Hua Xiang Danzhu\n    \u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align:center;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A tall tea tree with bright green new growth\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/o112_003.jpg?v=1737905512\" width=\"630\" height=\"840\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, this tea is not artificially infused with osmanthus aroma. Instead, its natural cultivar characteristics and fermentation process produce an authentic osmanthus-like fragrance, making it an exceptionally rare tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Having tasted multiple Phoenix Dan Cong Gui Hua Xiang teas in the past, most failed to exhibit a noticeable osmanthus flavor. In most cases, the fragrance was so subtle that it required deliberate effort to detect.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This particular tea possesses a remarkably strong osmanthus fragrance, which genuinely astonished me upon first tasting. As a single-tree tea, it is quite expensive, but it provides an unparalleled opportunity to experience the authentic Gui Hua Xiang profile.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hojo-phoenix-common\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe frequently visit Fenghuang Town in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, to source high-quality Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong tea directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7967.jpg\" alt=\"An old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7986.jpg\" alt=\"Tea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong Dan Cong teas, tea harvested from especially old trees is called \"Lao Cong.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e\na:hover {\n    background-color: #333; \/* Invert background color on hover *\/\n    color: #f0f0e0; \/* Invert text color on hover *\/\n    box-shadow: 0 12px 16px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3); \/* Add depth with a stronger shadow *\/\n    transform: translateY(-5px); \/* Slightly lift on hover *\/\n    text-decoration: none;\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":44932437377200,"sku":"o112ca","price":6300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":44932437409968,"sku":"o112cc","price":16000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932437442736,"sku":"o112cb","price":47500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"360g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932437475504,"sku":"o112cv","price":115000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/o112c_001.jpg?v=1737905511"},{"product_id":"o179","title":"Phoenix Oolong Ya Shi Xiang 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    Ya Shi Xiang (鴨屎香, meaning \"Duck Droppings Aroma\") may have an unusual name, but it is one of the most famous Phoenix Dan Cong teas in its place of origin.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    According to legend, a farmer discovered a tea tree with an exceptionally fragrant flavor. At the time, tea was grown from seeds, leading to natural crossbreeding and the occasional emergence of unique flavors. Fearing that others might steal his prized tea tree, the farmer gave it an unappealing name to discourage interest. This is how the tea came to be known as Ya Shi Xiang.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Despite its name, Ya Shi Xiang is renowned for its rich, tropical fruit-like fragrance, reminiscent of mangoes and other sweet, exotic fruits.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The name may have been meant to disguise its true value, but its remarkable floral and fruity flavor makes it a highly recommended Phoenix Dan Cong.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hojo-phoenix-common\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe frequently visit Fenghuang Town in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, to source high-quality Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong tea directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7967.jpg\" alt=\"An old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7986.jpg\" alt=\"Tea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":44932436361392,"sku":"o179ca","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":44932436394160,"sku":"o179cc","price":3800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932436426928,"sku":"o179cb","price":11000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 5 bags)","offer_id":44932436459696,"sku":"o179cv","price":45400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/o50_02.jpg?v=1737905496"},{"product_id":"s09","title":"Ripe Pu-erh Jasmine Tea","description":"\u003cimg alt=\"Dark tea leaves and hands holding jasmine flowers\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9348\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/kuromari.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"279\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Instead of sourcing finished jasmine tea, we specialize in producing custom-made jasmine tea by bringing our carefully selected raw materials to jasmine factories. Over the years, we have created numerous unique jasmine tea varieties that are not available elsewhere, such as Pu-erh jasmine tea made from raw Pu-erh tea leaves, Jasmine Silver Needle made from white tea collected from old tea trees, and Wild Jasmine Bud made from wild white tea buds.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This time, we have processed a tea that we have always wanted to try as jasmine tea: ripe Pu-erh tea! You might wonder if ripe tea and jasmine tea would complement each other, so we invite you to give it a try.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"White jasmine flowers spread out in a thick layer\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9347\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1826.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Photo of the jasmine scenting process\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    The Remarkable Compatibility Between Ripe Pu-erh Tea and Floral Flavors\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In fact, ripe Pu-erh tea exhibits a remarkable affinity for floral and fruity notes. In Hong Kong, there is a popular tea known as \"Kok-pou\" that combines ripe Pu-erh tea with chrysanthemum.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Furthermore, there has been a growing trend in recent years of stuffing ripe Pu-erh tea inside hollowed-out mandarin oranges, resulting in a uniquely flavored tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ripe tea also demonstrates unexpected versatility when blended with various types of tea. Have you ever tried blending ripe tea with black tea in a 50\/50 ratio? The outcome is an exceptionally delightful blend.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Based on these experiences, I firmly believed that ripe tea would undoubtedly complement jasmine.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Reddish-brown tea liquor in a white cup\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9346\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0318.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Using Ripe Pu-erh Tea Made from Naturally Grown Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When sourcing base-tea for Ripe Pu-erh Jasmine Tea, we specifically sought out naturally-grown tea. Naturally-grown tea imparts a rich and deep taste that is essential for crafting high-quality jasmine tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    A Tea That Surprises Everyone\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We created this tea with the assumption that ripe Pu-erh tea and jasmine flavor would complement each other well. However, I must admit I had some concerns until I actually tasted the finished tea. To my surprise, the mellow sweetness of the ripe tea combined with the refreshing flavor of jasmine created an unbeatable combination.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is recommended not only for those who like jasmine tea but also for those who are not fond of ripe Pu-erh tea. Due to the jasmine flavor, the distinct fermented flavor of ripe Pu-erh tea is completely absent, replaced instead by the vibrant scent of jasmine. Furthermore, thanks to the rich and robust taste of ripe Pu-erh, it offers a satisfying experience when consumed, making it a perfect choice for evenings or enjoyed alongside desserts.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Moreover, as this tea is based on ripe Pu-erh tea, it has a warming effect on the body. When you actually drink it, you will experience not just a slight warmth, but a remarkable sensation that leaves your body pleasantly cozy. This makes it an ideal choice for chilly days or when you want to feel warm and comfortable.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Perfect Pairing with Desserts!\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ripe Pu-erh jasmine tea is a great match for desserts. Unlike regular jasmine tea, which has a refreshing taste due to its green tea base, it doesn't always go well with all desserts. However, ripe Pu-erh jasmine tea, with its fermented tea as the base tea, pairs exceptionally well with sweet treats like pastries. It's also a versatile option that complements a wide variety of desserts, including baked apples, apple pie, tarts, cheesecakes, and desserts made with fruit puree or jam.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Reddish-brown tea in a white cup and a serving pitcher\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9345\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0325.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Ripe Pu-erh Jasmine Tea Unlocks a New Dimension of Milk Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Surprisingly, when ripe Pu-erh jasmine tea is prepared as milk tea, it undergoes a remarkable transformation and becomes an exceptionally delightful beverage. As someone who usually prefers drinking tea without any additions, even I find myself irresistibly tempted to give it a try. Once transformed into milk tea, the floral fragrance of jasmine takes on a fruity undertone, and when combined with the creamy texture of the milk, a sweet fruity essence reminiscent of apple tea emerges. It's as if you're entering an entirely new realm of milk tea experience.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Milk tea in a white cup\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9344\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0331.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Recommended for Cocktails and Mixing with Shochu\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ripe Pu-erh jasmine tea is not only fascinating as a standalone drink but also an intriguing ingredient for cocktails. One simple and outstanding combination is with shochu, a Japanese distilled spirit. Try mixing black jasmine tea with a mild-flavored shochu such as barley, rice, or black sugar-based varieties. Once you experience it, you'll become addicted. Additionally, you can experiment by substituting shochu with other spirits like tequila, rum, or vodka. And if you're looking for a distinct twist, adding milk to ripe Pu-erh jasmine tea infused with shochu creates a one-of-a-kind beverage.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Dry dark brown tea leaves on a white background\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9343\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0315.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Concerning the Occasional Presence of Green Tea Mixed In\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We carefully select and sort tea leaves by hand and package them with great care. However, during the production of jasmine tea, there may be a small unintentional mix of green tea or white tea. This can occur if traces of our previously processed teas, like Snow Jasmine or Jasmine Silver Needle, remain in the drying machine and occasionally get mixed in. Although we make efforts to remove non-ripe Pu-erh tea leaves during hand-sorting, it may not be possible to completely eliminate green tea or white tea buds that have a similar color to ripe tea in their dry form. If you discover green tea leaves mixed in while brewing the tea, please understand that it will not impact the taste or flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag)","offer_id":44932435280048,"sku":"s09ca","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (in can)","offer_id":44932435312816,"sku":"s09cc","price":3800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (large bag\/100g x 2 bags)","offer_id":44932435345584,"sku":"s09cb","price":7200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [100g x 2 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932435378352,"sku":"s09cv","price":18100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0315.jpg?v=1737905484"},{"product_id":"o174","title":"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Jiang Mu Xiang 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003eJiang Mu Xiang is a line that belongs to the Jiang Hua Xiang group, one of the representative aroma types of Phoenix Oolong. This tea is made in Gui Zhu Hu Village in Wu Dong Shan, at an altitude of 1200m. As the name Lao Cong suggests, it uses leaves harvested from 80-year-old trees, and the character of old trees shows clearly in its quality. The flavor is highly concentrated and the aftertaste is rich, with a sweetness that spreads in the mouth and a flavor that lasts a long time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJiang Mu Xiang has a very distinctive flavor even among Phoenix Oolong, and it is one of the most popular teas in our shop.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10693\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4243.jpg\" alt=\"Dark twisted dried oolong leaves on a white background\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"Jiang Mu\" means old ginger, and the name comes from the sharp, ginger-like aroma in the top note. However, when you actually drink this tea, you can clearly sense a bright flavor reminiscent of raspberry, with a distinctive galangal-like top note layered over it. The combination of the bright raspberry flavor and the distinctive galangal note creates a highly individual flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4233.jpg?v=1788155239\" alt=\"Fine dark twisted dry tea leaves piled in a bowl\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGalangal is a fresh spice similar to ginger, used in Thai dishes such as tom yum soup. It is also closely tied to the food culture of Chaozhou. In Chaozhou, kway teow, a rice noodle dish with beef or pork, is a kind of soul food, and beef kway teow is served with freshly grated galangal as a condiment. For this reason, galangal is a very familiar spice to the people of Chaozhou, and this aromatic character is probably one reason why Jiang Mu Xiang is so popular there.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmong the many aroma types of Phoenix Oolong, it has a character as easy to recognize as Mi Lan Xiang.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo bring out the quality of the leaves, the tea was carefully charcoal-roasted at a low temperature, resulting in a fresh, Qing Xiang (light-roast) style flavor. It is an excellent tea, with a fine balance between the quality of the leaves and the skill of the processing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hojo-phoenix-common\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe frequently visit Fenghuang Town in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, to source high-quality Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong tea directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7967.jpg\" alt=\"An old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7986.jpg\" alt=\"Tea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong Dan Cong teas, tea harvested from especially old trees is called \"Lao Cong.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":44932434395312,"sku":"o174ca","price":2300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":44932434428080,"sku":"o174cc","price":5900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932434460848,"sku":"o174cb","price":17500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"360g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932434493616,"sku":"o174cv","price":42800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o139.jpg?v=1737905475"},{"product_id":"b66","title":"Lapsang Souchong Qi Zhong Classic","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    Lapsang Souchong comes in 2 main types: one with a smoky flavor from drying over pine wood fires, and another with a sweet, fruity flavor. Although these teas have distinctly different flavors, fruity Lapsang Souchong is generally more expensive and popular among passionate tea enthusiasts in China. It is worth noting, however, that high-quality smoky Lapsang Souchong also exists.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Lapsang Souchong: 2 Main Types – Smoky and Fruity\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The Lapsang Souchong Qi Zhong Classic is a premium smoky version and is exceptional in flavor. High-grade Lapsang Souchong teas, such as Qi Zhong, Xiao Chi Gan, Fei Zi Xiao, and Jin Jun Mei, are generally known for their fruity flavors and no smoky flavor. We offer 4 varieties of high-quality Lapsang Souchong with sweet, fruity flavors and no smoky flavor: Qi Zhong, Hua Xiang, Fei Zi Xiao, and Xiao Chi Gan.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Amber tea in a white cup beside a cup of dark dry leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0222_eda39e16-3c5c-4d53-9766-b75d8d1f15c3.jpg?v=1789407626\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    While fruity Lapsang Souchong is delicious, many people also enjoy the smoky version. Each type has its own unique character, and the ability to enjoy both is one of the great appeals of Lapsang Souchong for tea enthusiasts.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Commitment to Tea Leaves, Processing, and Pine Wood\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We have been selling a product called Lapsang Souchong Traditional Style, and we have now sourced an even higher grade tea, Lapsang Souchong Qi Zhong Classic. This tea is made from a rare cultivar called Qi Zhong, naturally cultivated at an altitude of around 1300m.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    During the withering, fermentation, and drying stages, high-grade teas use heat from burning pine wood.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Locally, this high-grade Lapsang Souchong has no specific name, and producers use different names. We have named our tea Lapsang Souchong Qi Zhong Classic based on the local term Qi Zhong.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Heap of dark thin tea leaves in a metal bowl\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0198-1.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Giant Pine Trees with a Diameter of 1m\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    One of the critical points in producing Lapsang Souchong is the quality of the pine wood used. The higher the grade of the tea, the older the pine trees required — not just any pine tree will do.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Old pine trees grow very slowly and are rich in minerals, producing a long-lasting, refined flavor. Our Lapsang Souchong Qi Zhong Classic uses giant pine trees with a diameter of 1m, delivering a deep, complex smoky flavor that permeates the body.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"20g (small bag)","offer_id":44932432724144,"sku":"b66ca","price":2700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g (in can)","offer_id":44932432756912,"sku":"b66cc","price":6500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (large bag\/50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932432789680,"sku":"b66cb","price":19100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [50g x 3 bags] x 4 bags)","offer_id":44932432822448,"sku":"b66cv","price":62200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0206-3.jpg?v=1737905457"},{"product_id":"o118","title":"Phoenix Oolong Jiang Hua Xiang Single Tree 2021","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWhat is Jiang Hua Xiang (姜花香)?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is made from a single 200-year-old tree in Touya Village (头垭村) at an altitude of 1000m. The name \"Jiang Hua Xiang\" comes from its resemblance to the fragrance of ginger flowers. While ginger flowers are not commonly seen in Japan, their scent is familiar in Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and China. The tea has a floral profile akin to narcissus, lily, false acacia, and honeysuckle. Additionally, it exhibits a subtle lychee-like note similar to Mi Lan Xiang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDue to the high altitude and the advanced age of the tree, the tea grows very slowly. This results in a dense and rich liquor that permeates the body, offering a deep and lingering aftertaste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o118_04.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[2021 Dan Zhu]\" title=\"Phoenix Dan Cong Lao Cong Jiang Hua Xiang Dan Zhu 2021 Tea Tree\"\u003e\n        \u003cimg alt=\"Spreading tea tree on a slope covered with fallen leaves\" border=\"0\" height=\"316\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o118_04.jpg\" width=\"240\"\u003e\n    \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hojo-phoenix-common\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe frequently visit Fenghuang Town in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, to source high-quality Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong tea directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7967.jpg\" alt=\"An old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7986.jpg\" alt=\"Tea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong Dan Cong teas, tea harvested from especially old trees is called \"Lao Cong.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSingle tree tea (Dan Zhu Cha), as the name suggests, is harvested from a single tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e\na:hover {\n    background-color: #333; \/* Invert background color on hover *\/\n    color: #f0f0e0; \/* Invert text color on hover *\/\n    box-shadow: 0 12px 16px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3); \/* Add depth with a stronger shadow *\/\n    transform: translateY(-5px); \/* Slightly lift on hover *\/\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":44932430397616,"sku":"o118ca","price":5300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":44932430430384,"sku":"o118cc","price":13800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932430463152,"sku":"o118cb","price":40800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"360g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932430495920,"sku":"o118cv","price":99400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o118_01_39690a82-40b9-4906-9723-8b187c55edd7.jpg?v=1737905424"},{"product_id":"o173","title":"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Jiang Hua Xiang 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eAmong the many aroma types of Phoenix Oolong, Jiang Hua Xiang has a distinctive character of its own. Although it tends to be overshadowed by teas with more appealing names, such as Mi Lan Xiang, it is well known locally for its vibrant and intense fragrance.\u003cbr\u003eWe sourced this tea in 2023 and aged it in Japan for two years under oxygen-free conditions. The aging process has further enhanced its fragrance, and we are now pleased to introduce it. \u003cimg height=\"420\" width=\"630\" alt=\"A pile of dark twisted tea leaves on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9406.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10366\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eA tea from high altitude and Ancient (Lao Cong) trees\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea was made from tea trees about 60 years old at an altitude of 1200m in Gui Zhu Hu Village, near Tian Chi in the Wu Dong mountains. In Phoenix Oolong, both altitude and tree age are important factors that determine quality. This tea comes from high-altitude Lao Cong trees, and you can sense their quality the moment you pour hot water over the leaves. \u003cimg height=\"840\" width=\"630\" alt=\"Tall tea tree with branching trunks and leafy canopy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4885.jpg\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow the name Jiang Hua Xiang is classified\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhoenix Oolong names are classified in two main ways. One is the cultivar name, based on genetic lineage. The other is the aroma type, based on the aroma of the finished tea. (There are also names that come from the place of origin or the owner, but there are not many of them.)\u003cbr\u003eJiang Hua Xiang is not a cultivar name. It belongs to the aroma type classification, and a tea is called Jiang Hua Xiang when its flavor after processing matches the characteristics of Jiang Hua Xiang, which means ginger flower.\u003cbr\u003eIn practice, producers already know from experience which tea trees have the Jiang Hua Xiang character, and Jiang Hua Xiang is generally made from the same trees year after year, across generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAn overwhelming flavor behind a less popular name\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJiang Hua Xiang does not have a showy name like Mi Lan Xiang, Xing Ren Xiang or Mi Tao Xiang, so it tends to be overlooked by oversea customer. In fact, it has one of the strongest flavors among Phoenix Oolongs, with a pronounced, distinctive character that anyone can recognize. Locally, its flavor is described as reminiscent of ginger flowers. There are few opportunities to encounter ginger flowers, so their scent is unfamiliar to many. Among flowers, lily, gardenia, magnolia, orchid (Cymbidium) and honeysuckle offer close comparisons. The middle notes also include peach-like flavors, such as white peach and nectarine. Its flavor profile is completely different from that of Mi Lan Xiang. Jiang Hua Xiang stands out for its powerful floral top note with a spicy edge, full of brightness and presence. \u003cimg height=\"420\" width=\"630\" alt=\"Dark twisted tea leaves filling a metal container\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9396.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10367\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe character of Lao Cong\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs shown by the Lao Cong name, this tea has a long lingering finish, the flavor stays in the throat along with a sweet aftertaste, and it is very soft to drink. Lao Cong is a name for old tea trees, but the specific tree age standard differs by person and region; sometimes it means over 30 years, and sometimes over 50 years. However, for producers, Lao Cong does not simply mean old. The taste and flavor must also show the character of Lao Cong. In fact, the producer I work with sometimes declines to call a tea Lao Cong, even if it comes from the same old trees, in years when heavy rain has lowered the quality. The name carries that much weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hojo-phoenix-common\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe frequently visit Fenghuang Town in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, to source high-quality Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong tea directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7967.jpg\" alt=\"An old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7986.jpg\" alt=\"Tea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong Dan Cong teas, tea harvested from especially old trees is called \"Lao Cong.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":44932427088048,"sku":"o173ca","price":2500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":44932427120816,"sku":"o173cc","price":6300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932427153584,"sku":"o173cb","price":18400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"360g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932427186352,"sku":"o173cv","price":45100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9406.jpg?v=1766826245"},{"product_id":"b70","title":"Tsukigase Black Tea Benihikari","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A pile of dark dried black tea leaves on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9496.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We have released a black tea from Tsukigase, Nara Prefecture, made from the Benihikari cultivar grown without pesticides or fertilizers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This black tea was developed in collaboration with the producer in Tsukigase, and we were directly involved in improving the production methods.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Japanese black tea is often said to have a distinctive fragrance, commonly regarded as one of its defining characteristics.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We have found that in many cases this fragrance is actually caused by insufficient control of enzymatic fermentation during processing.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We designed this production method to address this issue and to avoid over-fermentation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Green tea leaves piled in a wooden box\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_6931-1.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Pesticide Free Benihikari Black Tea from Tsukigase, Nara\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tsukigase, Nara was once called Tsukigase Village, but in 2005 it was incorporated into Nara City. Even as it became part of Nara City, its nature and climate still remain strongly present today.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Tsukigase is located at the northeastern edge of Nara Prefecture, close to Minamiyamashiro Village in southern Kyoto and Iga Ueno City in Mie Prefecture. Across the slopes, tea gardens spread alongside plum groves, with the deep valley carved by the Nabari River forming a clear boundary. The terrain, with its elevation difference from the mountain foothills down to the Nabari River at the valley bottom, creates a large day-to-night temperature range, bringing softness and a clear fragrance to the tea through natural stress.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The soil there is formed from the ancient Lake Biwa strata, created roughly 5 million to 1 million years ago. The deep layers contain sediments and fossils, and in some places iron-rich yellowish soil is found in the surface layer. Tea gardens developed along the mountain shoulder often have a thick yellow soil layer, and that is where we source our lot. This iron-rich soil has the characteristic of producing a long finish. Because the tea gardens are situated on slopes rather than flat land, the root systems develop to draw water from deeper layers rather than relying on moisture near the surface, allowing the plants to absorb minerals from greater depths.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A green tea plantation on a hillside with trees at the top\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_6939-1.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Tea gardens in Tsukigase\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    The Importance of Fermentation Control in Black Tea Production\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Japanese black tea, often referred to as Wakocha, is frequently said to have a distinctive fragrance that many consider a defining characteristic.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, from a tea manufacturing perspective, this is not a natural characteristic of Japanese black tea, but an over-fermentation odor caused by insufficient control of enzymes.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Japan, equipment designed for green tea is often reused for black tea production, even though it is not well-suited to black tea processing. As a result, producers often fail to stop enzyme activity precisely during heating and drying, allowing fermentation to proceed too far.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Consequently, the tea is over-fermented and tannins known as thearubigins are formed, while amino acids break down reductively, generating a musty odor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This musty smell is not a characteristic of Japanese black tea, but a flaw caused by problems in the manufacturing process. We often find the same type of odor in black teas from Taiwan, China, and India when manufacturing is poorly controlled.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To prevent such defects, we focus carefully on how each stage of the manufacturing process is designed and controlled. Based on a clear understanding of processing conditions, we evaluate the finished tea and select only lots that show clean, well-controlled aromatic quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Wet reddish brown tea leaves in a white dish\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9505.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A white cup filled with amber colored tea\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9509.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Tea with a Fragrance Reminiscent of Pineapple and Grapes\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Benihikari is a black tea cultivar developed in Japan in 1969 by crossing Benikaori with a Chinese-lineage tea plant, known for its light, menthol-like character.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is lightly fermented, producing a clean and refreshing fragrance with subtle menthol notes and impressions of pineapple, grapes, and honey. The fragrance remains clear even through multiple infusions.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag)","offer_id":44932426956976,"sku":"b70ja","price":1300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"50g (in a bag)","offer_id":44932426989744,"sku":"b70jc","price":2200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932427022512,"sku":"b70jb","price":6200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (50g x 12 bags)","offer_id":44932427055280,"sku":"b70jv","price":20700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9496.jpg?v=1767797895"},{"product_id":"o178","title":"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Jiang Hua Xiang Single Tree 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eAmong the many aroma types of Phoenix Oolong, “Jiang Hua Xiang” has a distinctive presence. It tends to be overshadowed by teas with more striking names, but locally it is particularly highly regarded for its powerful flavor.\u003cbr\u003eWe purchased this tea in 2023 and aged it in Japan for two years under oxygen-free conditions. Aging has made its flavor even more pronounced.\u003cbr\u003eThe name “Jiang Hua Xiang” comes from an aroma reminiscent of ginger flowers. Smelling ginger flowers in Taiwan, China, or Southeast Asia makes the origin of the name clear.\u003cbr\u003eIts vibrant floral flavor recalls narcissus, lily, black locust, and honeysuckle. This is layered with a subtle, sweet, lychee-like fruit note reminiscent of Mi Lan Xiang. Its hallmark is a powerful floral top note with a hint of spice, making it one of the most distinctive aroma types of Phoenix Oolong.\u003cbr\u003eThe tea trees, approximately 200 years old, grow very slowly in a favorable environment at an altitude of about 1,000 m. This slow growth produces a rich aftertaste and an exceptionally long finish. The tea offers a dense, concentrated taste that seems to permeate every part of your body. \u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10664\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o178_01.jpg\" alt=\"Dark twisted dried Jiang Hua Xiang oolong leaves on white\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca  rel=\"lightbox[2021單株]\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o118_04.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Spreading tea tree on a slope covered with fallen leaves\" width=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o118_04.jpg\" height=\"316\" border=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hojo-phoenix-common\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe frequently visit Fenghuang Town in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, to source high-quality Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong tea directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7967.jpg\" alt=\"An old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7986.jpg\" alt=\"Tea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong Dan Cong teas, tea harvested from especially old trees is called \"Lao Cong.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSingle tree tea (Dan Zhu Cha), as the name suggests, is harvested from a single tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":45546910220464,"sku":"o178ca","price":6500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":45546910253232,"sku":"o178cc","price":17100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":45546910286000,"sku":"o178cb","price":50800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"360g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":45546910318768,"sku":"o178cv","price":122900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o178_01-2.jpg?v=1788183071"},{"product_id":"o176","title":"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Gui Hua Xiang Single Tree 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003ePhoenix Oolong Lao Cong Gui Hua Xiang Single Tree is harvested from a single tree, approximately 250 years old, growing at an altitude of about 1,000 m in Tou Ya Village.\u003cbr\u003e“Gui Hua Xiang” means “osmanthus aroma” in Chinese. Under the current official standards, it is classified as an aroma type. Originally, however, the name was given to a single mother tree with an aroma reminiscent of osmanthus. As tea trees were propagated from this mother tree through cuttings, “Gui Hua Xiang” also came to be used as an aroma type name for teas with a similar aroma. Today, the name is still used in both senses: depending on the producer, it may refer either to the mother tree’s lineage or to the aroma type.\u003cbr\u003eThe aroma of osmanthus is very popular, and “Gui Hua Oolong,” scented with osmanthus flowers, is widely sold in China and Taiwan. There are also quite a few Phoenix Oolongs on the market that have been scented with osmanthus or other scents after processing. Gui Hua Xiang, in particular, is known for the many scented teas sold under its name.\u003cbr\u003eHowever, Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Gui Hua Xiang Single Tree 2023 has not been scented in any way. The tea leaves alone produce a distinct flavor reminiscent of osmanthus flowers. Gui Hua Xiang with this characteristic is extremely rare. We have tasted many Gui Hua Xiang teas over the years, but only a very few have had a clearly recognizable osmanthus flavor.\u003cbr\u003eThis single-tree tea has an exceptionally vivid osmanthus-like flavor. Its distinctive character and high quality continue to surprise us every time we drink it. It also offers the exceptionally long finish and rich aftertaste characteristic of a tree approximately 250 years old, allowing you to fully enjoy the appeal of a high-quality Gui Hua Xiang.\u003cbr\u003eThe tea tree of Lao Cong Gui Hua Xiang Single Tree \u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10665\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o176_01.jpg\" alt=\"Dark twisted dried Gui Hua Xiang oolong leaves on white\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e \u003cimg class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8940\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o112_002.jpg\" alt=\"Tea tree spreading its branches beside a railing\" width=\"630\" height=\"473\"\u003e \u003cimg class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8941\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o112_003.jpg\" alt=\"Tea tree with fresh green shoots on a slope\" width=\"630\" height=\"840\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hojo-phoenix-common\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe frequently visit Fenghuang Town in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, to source high-quality Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong tea directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7967.jpg\" alt=\"An old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7986.jpg\" alt=\"Tea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong Dan Cong teas, tea harvested from especially old trees is called \"Lao Cong.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":45546957275312,"sku":"o176ca","price":7800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":45546957308080,"sku":"o176cc","price":20500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":45546957340848,"sku":"o176cb","price":61000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"360g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":45546957373616,"sku":"o176cv","price":147700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o176_01_1ff81a68-836e-479b-8400-80030de127ec.jpg?v=1788187821"},{"product_id":"o131","title":"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Mi Lan Xiang 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis tea was harvested from tea trees over 80 years old in Da An Village in Wu Dong Shan, at an altitude of 950m.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the sweet, lychee-like flavor typical of Mi Lan Xiang, it has a showy floral flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignleft size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o131_0e15a4bf-46b2-487a-8c1d-9f910b0ed648.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Mi Lan Xiang 2021\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a Nong Xiang (heavier roast) type, but the charcoal roasting is not too strong, and the liquor has a color close to golden yellow. Five years of aging have made the showy flavor of a high-grade Mi Lan Xiang even more intense and thick.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother appeal is the full-bodied taste and very long lingering finish that come from trees over 80 years old. Because the tea trees are grown free from agricultural chemicals and without any fertilizer, it has very clear and transparent flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hojo-phoenix-common\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe frequently visit Fenghuang Town in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, to source high-quality Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong tea directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7967.jpg\" alt=\"An old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7986.jpg\" alt=\"Tea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong Dan Cong teas, tea harvested from especially old trees is called \"Lao Cong.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":45567870566576,"sku":"o131ca","price":2900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":45567870599344,"sku":"o131cc","price":7300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":45567870632112,"sku":"o131cb","price":21600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"360g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":45567870664880,"sku":"o131cv","price":52900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o131_0e15a4bf-46b2-487a-8c1d-9f910b0ed648.jpg?v=1788878675"},{"product_id":"o130","title":"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Ye Lai Xiang 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis tea comes from Gui Zhu Hu Village in Wu Dong, at an altitude of 1200m, from trees about 70 years old. Its main character is a sweet floral flavor similar to black locust and honeysuckle. You can also sense a sweet, berry-like flavor. Because the tea garden sits at a very high altitude, the tea has a dense flavor and a rich taste with a long lingering finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignleft size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/E8_80_81_E6_9E_9E_E5_A4_9C_E6_9D_A5_E9_A6_992.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Ye Lai Xiang 2022\" width=\"630\" height=\"473\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYe Lai Xiang is one of the ten aroma types of Phoenix Oolong. Any tea with this flavor can be called Ye Lai Xiang, regardless of which cultivar or tree it comes from. Bei Tou Ye Lai Xiang, on the other hand, is a cultivar descended from one specific mother tree, and it shows the Ye Lai Xiang flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mother tree of this tea grew in front of a grave, so the tea was originally called Bei Tou Ye Lai Xiang, written with the characters 碑头 (it means gravestone). Because the name recalls a grave, in recent years it has been written with different characters, 陂头 (it means slope).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYe Lai Xiang is the Chinese name for Tonkin jasmine, known as Ieraishan in Japanese. The aroma type takes its name from its resemblance to the flower's scent. Its flavor is also very similar to the scent of black locust flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hojo-phoenix-common\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe frequently visit Fenghuang Town in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, to source high-quality Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong tea directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7967.jpg\" alt=\"An old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7986.jpg\" alt=\"Tea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong Dan Cong teas, tea harvested from especially old trees is called \"Lao Cong.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":45567873843376,"sku":"o130ca","price":3600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":45567873876144,"sku":"o130cc","price":9200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":45567873908912,"sku":"o130cb","price":27000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"360g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":45567873941680,"sku":"o130cv","price":66100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o130_02_07a6987b-277c-44d6-831a-1d96d5ab0e09.jpg?v=1788879846"},{"product_id":"o147","title":"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Yin Hua Xiang Single Tree 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis tea comes from Gui Zhu Hu Village in Wu Dong, at an altitude of 1200m, from a tree about 150 years old. If you think of a Phoenix Oolong with an unusual name, Ya Shi Xiang is surely the one that comes to mind.Ya Shi Xiang means Duck Shit Aroma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a legend that its flavor was so good that people deliberately gave it a terrible name, fearing it would be stolen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn recent years, some people have felt that the name Ya Shi Xiang sounds rather unpleasant, so Yin Hua Xiang is sometimes used instead. The name Yin Hua Xiang was reportedly introduced around 2014 because the tea's fragrance resembles that of Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle) flowers.\u003cbr\u003eHowever, the original name Ya Shi Xiang is still widely used. Some producers prefer Yin Hua Xiang, while others continue to use Ya Shi Xiang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignleft size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/E5_8D_95_E6_A0_AA_E9_93_B6_E8_8A_B1_E9_A6_99.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Yin Hua Xiang Single Tree 2022\" width=\"630\" height=\"473\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYin Hua Xiang refers to a flavor profile rather than a specific cultivar. Several different cultivars can produce this characteristic flavor, and teas displaying it may be sold as Yin Hua Xiang, regardless of the cultivar used.\u003cbr\u003eFor example, Shi Ye is another cultivar that can produce the Yin Hua Xiang flavor. Even when the cultivar is not specified, a tea may be sold as Yin Hua Xiang if it exhibits this characteristic flavor profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA single tree tea is harvested from one specific tree. This tea was harvested from a seed-grown old tree 150 years old and has a Yin Hua Xiang type aroma. It has a long lingering finish and a rich flavor with depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hojo-phoenix-common\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe frequently visit Fenghuang Town in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, to source high-quality Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong tea directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7967.jpg\" alt=\"An old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7986.jpg\" alt=\"Tea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong Dan Cong teas, tea harvested from especially old trees is called \"Lao Cong.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSingle tree tea (Dan Zhu Cha), as the name suggests, is harvested from a single tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":45567873974448,"sku":"o147ca","price":4600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":45567874007216,"sku":"o147cc","price":11900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":45567874039984,"sku":"o147cb","price":35100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"360g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":45567874072752,"sku":"o147cv","price":85500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o147_02_73fa6a27-9fc6-423d-a08a-c6a794a42089.jpg?v=1788879847"},{"product_id":"o180","title":"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Shi Hua Xiang Single Tree 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis tea was harvested from a single 300-year-old tree at an altitude of 1,100m in Wu Dong Hu Village.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignleft size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o110_002_2e3330d7-09ee-482e-a7c0-159daffc3b1f.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Shi Hua Xiang Single Tree 2021\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tea garden is at a very high altitude, and the tree is by far the oldest among our Phoenix Oolong single tree teas. As a result, the liquor is extremely smooth, with a long lingering finish and a dense aftertaste that seems to soak into your body. In a sense, the pleasant texture of the liquor alone makes this a wonderful tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flavor is gentle and calm, with sweet notes of narcissus, ripe prunes, akebia, and pineapple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hojo-phoenix-common\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe frequently visit Fenghuang Town in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, to source high-quality Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong tea directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7967.jpg\" alt=\"An old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7986.jpg\" alt=\"Tea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong Dan Cong teas, tea harvested from especially old trees is called \"Lao Cong.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSingle tree tea (Dan Zhu Cha), as the name suggests, is harvested from a single tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":45567874105520,"sku":"o180ca","price":7800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":45567874138288,"sku":"o180cc","price":20500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":45567874171056,"sku":"o180cb","price":61000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"360g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":45567874203824,"sku":"o180cv","price":147700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o178_01_9431358b-8b72-4dea-becd-f5cbd505cc44.jpg?v=1788879847"},{"product_id":"o143","title":"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Mi Lan Xiang 2022 No.2","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9684_ba2bfaca-940a-49fd-bc10-a940d0a8cc1d.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Mi Lan Xiang 2022 No.2\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have released a very special tea, Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Mi Lan Xiang 2022. What makes it special is that this Mi Lan Xiang is made from seed-grown old trees, which is normally unheard of. As a result, it has a lingering finish of a length you would not expect, and the taste is very moving. In Phoenix Town, old tea trees are generally called Lao Cong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a Mi Lan Xiang harvested from seed-grown Lao Cong trees. It is a lot of raw leaf from a different group of mother trees within the same tea garden, located at an altitude of about 1200m.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Phoenix Oolong names are classified by aroma type\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are several different ways of naming Phoenix Oolong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst, some names use the cultivar name (more precisely, the name of a line or base cultivar), such as Song Zhong and Ba Xian. These were sorted out from the Phoenix Shui Xian population as lines with relatively stable traits, and have been propagated by cuttings or grafting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the other hand, most Phoenix Oolong on the market is named by a classification called aroma type. In this case, the name does not point directly to a specific cultivar or mother tree. It is based on the type of aroma that appears after processing. For example, the well-known Mi Lan Xiang is not a cultivar name. There is no cultivar called Mi Lan Xiang; any Dan Cong that shows the aroma characteristics of the Mi Lan Xiang type is grouped together as Mi Lan Xiang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is true that many of the tea trees used for Mi Lan Xiang belong to the Bai Ye (white leaf) line, but it is not limited to them. Even trees from other lines or seed-grown trees are treated as Mi Lan Xiang if the aroma after processing is judged to be the Mi Lan Xiang type. In this way, for Phoenix Oolong names decided by aroma type, several kinds of tea leaf are used as raw material, with the aroma type after processing as the criterion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy it was first produced as Lao Cong Shui Xian\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Mi Lan Xiang 2022 introduced here was originally produced as Lao Cong Shui Xian. 2022 was the year our producer acquired a new tea garden in Gui Zhu Hu Village on Wu Dong Shan, at an altitude of about 1200m, and harvested it for the first time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3998-1_468a5672-7bab-4fda-93b7-8e6cb8452f53.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Mi Lan Xiang 2022 No.2\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e \u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4008_c5ac9bf1-5cdd-4643-9176-000f0acbc561.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Mi Lan Xiang 2022 No.2\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea garden is located near the summit of Tian Chi, one of several peaks on Wu Dong Shan. Because of its high altitude and favorable environment, it has long been known as a place where good tea is produced. However, when the garden was acquired, many old seed-grown trees remained there, and the trees had not yet been sorted or named by aroma type.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Phoenix Town, tea trees whose aroma type has not been clearly determined are not treated as Dan Cong and are grouped under the name Shui Xian. Among them, those with especially high tree age are called Lao Cong Shui Xian. For this reason, in 2022, the first harvest year, the trees were divided by tree age and section and produced as Lao Cong Shui Xian in several lots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLater, when we evaluated the 2022 Lao Cong Shui Xian, we found that one of the lots clearly showed the characteristics of the Mi Lan Xiang type. The tendency could be seen right after processing, but the characteristics became clearer over time, and now the tea can be clearly recognized as the Mi Lan Xiang type.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe old Lao Cong trees used as raw material, and the price structure\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reason this tea is of excellent quality is that all of its raw material comes from old seed-grown trees growing in a high-altitude tea garden. Unlike trees grown from cuttings, a seed-grown tea tree has one thick taproot that reaches deep into the soil and into cracks in the bedrock. Therefore, it is strongly affected not only by the surface layer but also by the deeper layers. On the other hand, tea trees propagated by cuttings have shallow roots that spread sideways, so their absorption tends to be limited to the topsoil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause of this difference in root structure, tea made from old seed-grown trees tends to reflect the conditions of the land directly. As a result, this tea shows a lingering finish far longer than you would expect from ordinary Mi Lan Xiang, and a dense flavor. I have handled many Phoenix Oolong Mi Lan Xiang teas over the years, but this is a level of Mi Lan Xiang I had never experienced, and it is a very impressive lot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_6121_177cbda3-f9f0-436e-acf2-3a4d3331cb83.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Oolong Lao Cong Mi Lan Xiang 2022 No.2\" width=\"630\" height=\"473\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTea trees of the same age: grown from a cutting on the left, seed-grown on the right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNormally, a Mi Lan Xiang from old seed-grown trees is very expensive when it is sold as a Dan Cong with a confirmed aroma type. However, this tea was produced and sold as Lao Cong Shui Xian before its aroma type had been sorted out, so we were able to buy it at a much lower price. In the Phoenix Town market, the price is not set by tree age or altitude as such. It depends on whether the aroma type has been clearly identified and the tea is valued as a Dan Cong. For this reason, Shui Xian without a clear aroma type is generally traded at about half the price of a Dan Cong made from trees of the same age and at the same altitude.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur producer is now steadily sorting these Lao Cong Shui Xian trees by aroma type. For this reason, we think there will be almost no further chances to buy a Mi Lan Xiang like this one, which came about through a chance combination of conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hojo-phoenix-common\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe frequently visit Fenghuang Town in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, to source high-quality Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong tea directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7967.jpg\" alt=\"An old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7986.jpg\" alt=\"Tea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong Dan Cong teas, tea harvested from especially old trees is called \"Lao Cong.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":45567878365360,"sku":"o143ca","price":2700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":45567878398128,"sku":"o143cc","price":6900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":45567878430896,"sku":"o143cb","price":20300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"360g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 3 bags)","offer_id":45567878463664,"sku":"o143cv","price":49800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9684_ba2bfaca-940a-49fd-bc10-a940d0a8cc1d.jpg?v=1788880815"},{"product_id":"b71","title":"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003eWhat Is Qing Xiang Black Tea? Every year we stay in Yunnan Province, where we manage selecting fresh tea leaves, production, packing and export and we also work on developing new teas. In 2024 we developed a new style of black tea using processing techniques which is not found in conventional black tea, and we are now releasing the first tea of this style. We are not producers who own tea gardens. We borrow local producers' equipment and raw leaves, and we design and carry out the processing ourselves. This black tea was processed at low temperatures to keep avoid heat damage to the leaves, this tea is a black tea of its own that does not fit into any existing category. We had been calling it \"New Style Black Tea,\" but from now on we will call it \"Qing Xiang Black Tea.\" The Qing Xiang means refreshing flavor in Chinese We plan to release several teas one after another as the Qing Xiang Black Tea series.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9953.jpg\" alt=\"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eQing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is made from High Mountain Purple Tea from Yunnan Province, China. It uses the same High Mountain Purple Tea as our High Mountain Purple Black Tea, but a different processing method produces a completely different flavor and taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3077.jpg\" alt=\"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis purple tea grows at around 2,000 m in Lincang City. Depending on how it is processed, its flavor can resemble perilla leaves, peach, or menthol.\u003cbr\u003eOur Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea has a strong floral top note that recalls Phoenix Oolong, along with a cool, fresh note of perilla or menthol. It is so different from conventional black tea that you probably would not know it was black tea unless someone told you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFresh leaves of purple tea \u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2589.jpg\" alt=\"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eThe Philosophy Behind Qing Xiang Black Tea\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flavor of black tea is formed mainly by two enzymatic reactions. One is the breakdown of terpene glycosides during withering and rolling, in which beta-glucosidase releases floral flavor compounds such as linalool and geraniol. The other is fermentation by polyphenol oxidase after rolling, which gives black tea its characteristic qualities. Of the two, the former is the main reaction that produces flavor compounds reminiscent of flowers and fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the Qing Xiang Black Tea series, we put the emphasis on withering to allow sufficient breakdown of terpene glycosides, while deliberately limiting fermentation. By limiting fermentation, we aim to preserve as much as possible of the fresh, floral flavor that develops during black tea processing. For this reason, the leaves remain greenish, and after brewing, their color resembles that of Phoenix Oolong leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9966.jpg\" alt=\"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9959.jpg\" alt=\"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eKeeping the distinctive aroma that appears during black tea processing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have ever watched black tea being made, you may know that the leaves give off a vibrant aroma reminiscent of flowers or menthol right after rolling. As processing continues and the leaves are heated at high temperatures, however, that aroma gradually changes into the familiar aroma we associate with black tea. In developing Qing Xiang Black Tea, we aimed to preserve as much of that flavor as possible in the finished tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack tea is generally heated at high temperatures to stop enzymatic fermentation. However, high heat also destroys the fresh floral flavor. If heating is insufficient, some enzymes remain active, allowing fermentation to go too far and produce an unpleasant, stuffy smell. To solve this dilemma, we developed a method that reliably stops fermentation while keeping heating to a minimum. As a result, we made a tea with character somewhere between white tea and black tea that does not fit into any existing category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2347.jpg\" alt=\"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9942.jpg\" alt=\"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eThe Qing Xiang Black Tea Series Is Also Ideal for Cold Brewing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite tea is our top recommendation for cold brewing. Unlike green tea, white tea does not undergo the enzyme-deactivating process. As a result, various enzymes remain in the leaves without being deactivated. When brewed with hot water, these enzymes become active and gradually change the flavor over multiple infusions. In contrast, when brewed with cold water, the enzymes remain largely inactive because of the low temperature. As a result, the original flavor compounds in the tea leaves can be extracted without enzymatic intervention. This allows you to enjoy flavors reminiscent of flowers, citrus fruits, and perilla leaves.\u003cbr\u003eThe Qing Xiang Black Tea series combines elements of both white tea and black tea, so it is also excellent for cold brewing. When cold brewed, it develops a vibrant flavor reminiscent of natural wine rather than black tea and tastes like an entirely different tea.\u003cbr\u003eBlack tea is generally difficult to pair with food, but this tea does not have the typical black tea character. It complements Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, making it an excellent tea to enjoy with meals.\u003cbr\u003eIf you carbonate it with a soda maker, its flavor becomes so reminiscent of natural sparkling wine that you may forget you are drinking tea.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag)","offer_id":45567928139952,"sku":"b71ca","price":1400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"50g (in can)","offer_id":45567928172720,"sku":"b71cc","price":2200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (large bag\/50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":45567928205488,"sku":"b71cb","price":6200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [50g x 3 bags] x 4 bags)","offer_id":45567928238256,"sku":"b71cv","price":20700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9953.jpg?v=1787816913"},{"product_id":"o49-2026","title":"Phoenix Oolong Mi Lan Xiang Nong Xiang 2026 No.1","description":"\u003ch2\u003ePhoenix Oolong Mi Lan Xiang Nong Xiang 2026 No.1\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\u003cp\u003eMi Lan Xiang has a sweet, lychee-like flavor. Many people trying it for the first time are surprised by a fruit flavor so pronounced that it is hard to believe it comes from tea. Its flavor is that sweet and fruity.\u003cbr\u003eThe Nong Xiang style is a very popular way of finishing tea in China. As the name “thick aroma” suggests, it is characterized by an intense flavor. This tea undergoes two rounds of charcoal roasting. Rather than using high temperatures, gentle heat is applied over a long period at a temperature low enough to avoid scorching the leaves. This accelerates the aging of the tea’s components, creating a captivating, fruit-like flavor.\u003cbr\u003eIf you have never tried Phoenix Oolong, this is the tea we would like you to try first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hojo-phoenix-common\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe frequently visit Fenghuang Town in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, to source high-quality Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong tea directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7967.jpg\" alt=\"An old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn old Phoenix Dan Cong tree on Wu Dong Shan and me, Akira Hojo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7986.jpg\" alt=\"Tea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTea trees growing on the steep, rocky slopes of Wu Dong Shan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"15g (small bag)","offer_id":45618963218608,"sku":"o49ca","price":1600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":45618963251376,"sku":"o49cc","price":3900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":45618963284144,"sku":"o49cb","price":11400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 5 bags)","offer_id":45618963316912,"sku":"o49cv","price":46800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/o49_2013_01.jpg?v=1737905474"}],"url":"https:\/\/hojotea.com\/en-en\/collections\/flavorful-teas.oembed?page=2","provider":"お茶の専門店HOJO \/ HOJO CO., LTD.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}